A 60-year-old man swallowed an enormous amount of water-absorbent polymer beads—the kind used in plants and toys—and needed emergency surgery to survive. Doctors had to cut open his abdomen and remove the beads through multiple surgical openings because there were simply too many to remove any other way. This rare case shows how dangerous these small beads can be when swallowed in large quantities, potentially causing life-threatening blockages and pancreas problems. The man spent two months in the hospital but eventually recovered, though he needed a temporary opening in his intestines to help his body heal.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What happens when an adult swallows a massive amount of water-absorbent polymer beads (the small beads that grow when wet, used in plants and as toys) and how doctors should treat this emergency.
  • Who participated: One 60-year-old man who intentionally swallowed approximately 25,000 of these beads and came to the hospital with severe stomach pain.
  • Key finding: The patient required emergency surgery with multiple cuts into his intestines to remove the beads because there were too many to remove safely with a camera procedure. Even after surgery, some beads remained and had to pass naturally through a temporary opening created in his intestines.
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know swallows these beads, seek emergency medical care immediately. This is a serious situation that may require surgery. However, this case is extremely rare—it involved an unusually large amount intentionally swallowed by an adult.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors are describing what happened to one specific patient in detail. The 60-year-old man came to the hospital with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting after swallowing an estimated 25,000 water-absorbent polymer beads. Doctors used CT scans (detailed imaging) to see what was happening inside his body and found beads throughout his entire digestive tract, from his stomach down through his intestines.

Because the volume of beads was so large and dangerous, doctors decided emergency surgery was necessary. They made cuts into his stomach and small intestines to physically remove as many beads as possible. They also created a temporary opening (called an ileostomy) in his small intestine to allow remaining beads to pass out of his body safely without causing a blockage.

After surgery, the patient received nutrition through an IV because he couldn’t eat normally while healing. Doctors monitored him closely for complications, including inflammation of his pancreas (a serious organ near the stomach). He stayed in the hospital for two months before going home.

This case is important because it’s the first documented time an adult swallowed such a massive amount of these beads. Most cases involve children, so doctors didn’t have clear guidelines for treating an adult with this problem. The case shows that when the amount is extremely large, surgery may be the only safe option, and it demonstrates what complications doctors should watch for.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. It describes one patient’s experience in detail but cannot prove that all patients with this problem will have the same outcome. The information is valuable for alerting doctors to a rare but serious danger, but we cannot make broad conclusions about how common this problem is or how it will affect different people. The case was documented by experienced surgeons at a hospital, which adds credibility to the medical details.

What the Results Show

The patient presented to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. CT imaging revealed an enormous volume of water-absorbent polymer beads distributed throughout his entire digestive system—from his stomach all the way through his small intestines. The imaging also showed free fluid around his pancreas, suggesting the beads had triggered inflammation of this important organ.

Doctors determined that emergency surgery was necessary because the beads posed an immediate risk of rupturing his intestines. During the operation, surgeons made cuts into his stomach and two separate sections of his small intestine to manually remove as many beads as possible. However, because there were so many beads, they couldn’t remove them all. To prevent a dangerous blockage, surgeons created a temporary opening in his intestine (ileostomy) that allowed remaining beads to pass out of his body naturally.

After surgery, the patient developed pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and a fluid collection near the pancreas. These complications were managed with supportive care rather than additional surgery. The patient received all his nutrition through an IV for several weeks while his digestive system healed. Over time, the remaining beads passed through the ileostomy, and the pancreas inflammation gradually improved.

The patient experienced pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) as a secondary complication, likely triggered by the massive volume of beads irritating the digestive system. A fluid collection formed near the pancreas, which doctors monitored with imaging but did not need to drain surgically. The patient required two months of hospitalization and specialized nutrition support. Eventually, all complications resolved, and the patient was discharged home in stable condition.

Most documented cases of water-absorbent polymer bead ingestion involve children, not adults. This case is unique because it involves an adult and an extraordinarily large quantity of beads (25,000). Previous cases in children have sometimes been managed without surgery using observation or endoscopy (a camera procedure), but the massive volume in this case made surgery the only practical option. This case expands medical knowledge about how serious these ingestions can be and demonstrates that adults are not immune to this danger.

This is a single case report involving one patient, so we cannot generalize the findings to all people who might swallow these beads. The outcome might be different depending on the person’s age, health, the exact amount swallowed, and how quickly they receive treatment. We don’t know if this patient had any underlying health conditions that made the situation worse. Additionally, this appears to be an intentional ingestion, which is different from accidental swallowing (more common in children), so the findings may not apply to accidental cases.

The Bottom Line

If anyone swallows water-absorbent polymer beads, especially in significant quantities, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away. Doctors should be aware that very large ingestions may require surgery rather than less invasive treatments. (Confidence: High for emergency care recommendation; based on one severe case)

Parents and caregivers should be aware of this danger, as these beads are sometimes used in toys and gardening products. Adults who may be at risk for intentional self-harm should have access to mental health support. Healthcare providers should know about this potential emergency. People who work with these products should store them safely away from children and vulnerable adults.

In this case, the patient required two months of hospitalization to recover. However, recovery time may vary significantly depending on the amount swallowed, how quickly treatment begins, and whether complications develop. Some patients might recover faster; others might have longer recoveries.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If someone has swallowed these beads and is being monitored, track daily bowel movements and any abdominal pain or discomfort on a scale of 1-10 to help doctors assess recovery progress.
  • Set reminders to store water-absorbent polymer beads safely away from children and vulnerable adults. Create a household inventory of products containing these beads and ensure they are in secure, labeled containers.
  • For patients recovering from this incident, use the app to log any symptoms (pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits) and share this information with healthcare providers at follow-up appointments to ensure complete healing.

This case report describes one patient’s experience with a rare and serious medical emergency. It is not medical advice. If you or someone you know has swallowed water-absorbent polymer beads or any foreign object, seek emergency medical care immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. Do not attempt home treatment. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical evaluation and treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or medical emergencies.