science
tragic
informative

Man suffers from unusual hiccups after tooth aspiration during surgery

Mar 14, 2026, 12:00 PM10
(Update: Mar 14, 2026, 12:00 PM)
Spanish politician, President of the Generalitat of Catalonia

Man suffers from unusual hiccups after tooth aspiration during surgery

  • Artur underwent a wisdom tooth extraction and one tooth was accidentally aspirated.
  • He developed severe hiccups and chest pain, prompting him to seek medical evaluation.
  • Doctors confirmed the aspiration and successfully removed the tooth from his lung.
Share your opinion
1

Story

In São Paulo, Brazil, Artur experienced a troubling health issue after undergoing a dental procedure to remove his wisdom teeth. Initially, the surgery seemed successful; however, a complication arose when the dentist informed Artur that one of the teeth had gone down his throat. Despite being reassured that it would naturally pass, Artur began developing strong and painful hiccups soon after. Concerned about these symptoms and the potential aspiration of the tooth, he sought further medical help. Upon visiting the hospital, a chest X-ray confirmed his dentist's suspicion: Artur had indeed aspirated the tooth. The incident occurred when Artur was sedated for the wisdom tooth extraction, which probably prevented him from coughing or swallowing the tooth that had slipped during the procedure. Typically, when such accidents happen, the patient manages to cough out or swallow the lost tooth, but Artur's sedation made these reflexes ineffective. The dentist, with over four decades of practice, stated that such a complication had never happened before in his career, highlighting the unusual nature of the event. To remove the aspirated tooth, doctors performed a bronchoscopy. This procedure involved inserting a tiny camera into his lung to locate the tooth, followed by using a small hook to extract it. Artur later shared images of his experiences on social media, illustrating a situation that many found shocking and alarming. He expressed his hope that his story would serve as a cautionary tale, reminding others to be aware of the symptoms he experienced, as aspiration can happen with various substances, not just teeth. Overall, the experience left Artur rattled, yet it signalled a close call to raise awareness about postoperative complications, especially in dental procedures. The case also serves to underline the importance of patient vigilance in recognizing strange symptoms following surgery because they can indicate serious underlying issues.

2026 All rights reserved