12-year-old undergoes emergency surgery after 'smoky paan' leaves hole in her stomach

A 12-year-old girl from India's southern Bengaluru city had to undergo gastrointestinal surgery after consuming a 'smoky paan' containing liquid nitrogen, reported the Times of India (TOI). She initially experienced severe stomach pain, which led to the discovery of a hole in her stomach. She had tried the 'smoky paan,' intrigued by seeing others exhale smoke after eating it. This street food is widely available at various stalls across Indian cities, and is very popular among content creators. Immediately after eating it, the girl felt unwell. Reflecting on her experience, she told TOI, "I wanted to join others in trying the smoky paan, but soon after eating it, I felt discomfort that escalated into severe stomach pain. While others seemed unaffected, I felt sick." Doctors diagnosed her with perforation peritonitis, a condition where a hole in the stomach requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent further complications. Dr Vijay HS, the lead surgeon at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, explained, "Intra-op OGD scopy is a procedure where a flexible tube with a camera and light is used during surgery to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum—the first part of the small intestine," according to The Times of India. "We must address such isolated incidents promptly to prevent them from recurring." Dr Vijay added. Also read | The Great Khali lands in trouble after lifting world's shortest woman with his hands The girl was discharged after spending six days in the hospital. The hospital said, "Liquid nitrogen, with a liquid-to-gas expansion ratio of 1: 694 at 20 degrees Celsius, poses significant health risks". "The rapid vaporisation of liquid nitrogen in an enclosed space generates immense force. This volatile chemical can damage the skin and present severe health hazards to chefs and other food handlers. Inhaling the vapours can lead to breathing difficulties, and there have been reports of tissue damage due to hazardoud nature of liquid nitrogen," the hospital said in a statement. Also watch | India General Election 2024: Jammu & Kashmir's Baramulla records all-time high voter turnout

Rising concerns over liquid nitrogen in street food

This incident adds to a growing list of cases where people have suffered adverse effects from consuming food and beverages containing liquid nitrogen.

Often used in restaurants to create a smoky effect in dishes like sizzlers, liquid nitrogen requires careful handling by both consumers and food providers. (With inputs from agencies)