Two doctors at Ziv Medical Center in Safed saved the life of an 80-year-old woman in recent days after a large hair tie became lodged in her throat, blocking more than 80% of her airway.
The woman, who was hospitalized in the geriatric ward, suddenly began choking and experiencing difficulty swallowing and severe respiratory distress.
The patient, a resident of a Galilee village who suffers from advanced dementia, was rushed to the hospital's Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department. Along with her breathing difficulties, doctors noted a significant drop in her blood oxygen levels.
Dr. Marwan Karem and Dr. Ala Safiya, specialists in the department, performed an examination using a fiber-optic scope equipped with a camera. The scope was inserted through the nasal passage toward the throat.
During the examination, the doctors discovered a large purple foreign object at the entrance to her esophagus measuring approximately 15 centimeters in length, with part of it resting on the epiglottis, the flap that protects the airway.
While one doctor continued using the scope to locate and monitor the foreign object, the second inserted forceps through the patient's mouth and successfully removed it.
Following the procedure, the woman was returned to the geriatric ward in good and stable condition.
"The hair tie was blocking more than 80% of the airway," Dr. Karem and Dr. Safiya said. "Had we not arrived in time, the patient could have died, as she did not complain or draw her family's attention to what was happening. Immediately after the foreign object was removed, she was able to breathe normally again."
Ziv Medical Center Director Prof. Salman Zarka praised the medical teams for their quick response.
"Thanks to the vigilance of the geriatric ward staff and the swift action of the two ENT specialists, the patient's life was saved," he said. "I would like to thank the teams who saved her life and continue to save lives every day through their professionalism and dedication."