A metal clasp was stuck in Nguyen Van Thom's lung for more than 20 years. PHOTO: DINH TUYEN

Doctors in the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho have successfully removed a dental fixture that was lodged in the lung of a 67-year-old man in for more than two decades.

Nguyen Van Thom of the Mekong Delta province of An Giang was initially diagnosed with pneumonia after being admitted to the Can Tho Central General Hospital on May 9.

He suffered from high fever, a serious cough and pain in his right lung, doctor Lam Chanh Thi, head of the hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat Ward, told Thanh Nien News Tuesday.

An X-ray check showed an alien object in the lung's middle lobe, Thi said.

A subsequent endoscopy scan found the object was mostly surrounded by swollen soft tissue and a buildup of mucus.

Thom was given antibiotics for ten days prior to a 30 minute surgery.

The patient said he lost a metal clasp holding his false teeth more than 20 years ago without knowing that it had dropped into his throat.

Since then, he's suffered frequent fits of coughing and long fevers and received treatment for everything from pneumonia to tuberculosis.

Doctors said Thom has recovered and is being treated for pneumonia at the hospital.

Like us on Facebook and scroll down to share your comment