Bengaluru: 12-year-old girl suffers a hole in her stomach after eating liquid nitrogen paan

A seemingly fun culinary experiment turned into a medical emergency for a 12-year-old girl in late April. She and her family were left in shock when the girl developed severe stomach discomfort after trying a liquid nitrogen-infused paan.

Shortly after, she was rushed to Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in HSR Layout, where doctors diagnosed her with perforation peritonitis—a critical condition involving a hole in the stomach.

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Doctors determined that immediate surgery was necessary to prevent further complications. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy with intra-op OGD scopy, and a sleeve gastrectomy. Dr. Vijay HS, the Operating Surgeon in Surgical Gastroenterology, reportedly explained that intra-op OGD scopy involves using an endoscope to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum during surgery. A portion of her stomach, measuring about 4x5 cm, was removed.

The incident has raised concerns among medical professionals. "As liquid nitrogen becomes more popular in culinary circles, it's crucial for individuals to exercise caution and prioritize safety. Vigilance and increased awareness are essential to avoid potentially devastating consequences," reportedly stated Dr. Vijay, citing a 2017 case in Gurugram where a person was injured by a liquid nitrogen cocktail.

She was discharged after six days. Narayana Health issued a statement highlighting the dangers of liquid nitrogen, noting its rapid expansion ratio and potential to cause severe health risks, including breathing difficulties and tissue damage.