A 12-year-old girl in Bengaluru endured a harrowing experience after consuming a liquid nitrogen-infused paan, resulting in perforation peritonitis, a hole in her stomach.
Initially dismissed as a harmless activity, the ingestion of liquid nitrogen paan turned into a nightmare for the young girl. Recounting her ordeal, she expressed, “I merely wanted to try the smoky paan because it seemed intriguing, and everyone else was doing it too.”
Tragically, she became the sole victim, experiencing excruciating stomach pains after consuming the paan. A prompt hospital visit revealed the grim diagnosis of perforation peritonitis, necessitating immediate surgery.
The surgery, performed by Dr. Vijay HS and his team at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, involved an exploratory laparotomy with intra-op OGD scopy and sleeve gastrectomy. Surgeons removed a 4×5 cm portion of her stomach, and she remained hospitalized for six days post-surgery.
Dr. Vijay HS emphasized the importance of caution and safety when handling liquid nitrogen, especially in culinary settings. “Individuals must be aware of the potential health risks associated with this volatile chemical,” he cautioned.
Narayana Health strongly advises against the consumption of liquid nitrogen, warning that inhaling its vapors can cause tissue damage and breathing difficulties. Skin exposure can also lead to harm.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible food handling practices and the need for vigilance to prevent such devastating consequences.
