74-Year-Old Japanese Woman Survives Two Surgeries After Eating 16 Persimmon Cookies
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 74-year-old Japanese woman survived two emergency surgeries after developing life-threatening intestinal complications from consuming 16 persimmon cookies. Medical imaging revealed severe small intestine dilation, prompting urgent surgical intervention. Surgeons discovered and removed an obstruction, but the patient suffered a recurrence eight days later when a remaining gastric stone migrated downward. After Coca-Cola dissolution therapy proved ineffective over six days, a second surgery revealed perforated intestines with necrotic tissue requiring additional resection. The patient recovered fully and was discharged 12 days post-operatively.
Key Points
- The woman consumed 3 to 4 persimmon cookies daily over 19 to 24 days, totaling 16 cookies before symptom onset in January 2023
- During the first emergency surgery, surgeons found a brownish-orange, sponge-like mass approximately 30 centimeters from the end of her small intestine and removed the affected segment
- Doctors initially attempted Coca-Cola infusion through a tube to dissolve the remaining stone, but six days of treatment failed to resolve the obstruction
- The second surgery revealed perforated small intestine with surrounding tissue ulceration and necrosis, necessitating additional intestinal resection
- Laboratory analysis confirmed the stones were 98% tannic acid, a compound abundant in persimmons that solidifies when exposed to stomach acid
Why It Matters
This case underscores the serious health risks that common foods can pose, particularly for elderly individuals with compromised digestive function. As Hong Kong's population ages, local healthcare providers should educate older residents about safe consumption limits for tannin-rich foods like persimmons and warn against attempting home remedies such as Coca-Cola dissolution therapy .
This case underscores the serious health risks that common foods can pose, particularly for elderly individuals with compromised digestive function. As Hong Kong's population ages, local healthcare providers should educate older residents about safe consumption limits for tannin-rich foods like persimmons and warn against attempting home remedies such as Coca-Cola dissolution therapy .