Medical Miracle in Ahmedabad: Toddler Swallows ‘Hulk’ Toy, Doctors Perform Complicated Extraction

February 4, 2026 – In a harrowing incident that has served as a stark warning for parents, doctors at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital successfully performed a delicate, 45-minute procedure to save a one-and-a-half-year-old boy who had swallowed a full-sized plastic figure of the superhero ‘Hulk’.

The Incident: A Missing Hero and a Distressed Toddler

The ordeal began on January 18, when the toddler, identified as Vansh, was playing at his home. His mother, Bhavikaben, noticed a sudden change in his behavior; the boy appeared in visible distress and began vomiting. Sensing something was wrong, she checked his toys and realized a small plastic “Hulk” figure was missing.

When questioned, the toddler gestured that he had swallowed the toy. His parents rushed him to the Civil Hospital, where an X-ray left medical staff stunned. The scan clearly showed the entire toy—complete with arms, legs, and a head—lodged firmly in the child’s stomach.

A Risky Extraction: “The Hulk” Fights Back

The case was immediately handed over to the Department of Pediatric Surgery. Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Head of the Department, described the procedure as one of the most challenging in recent memory.

Unlike smooth objects like coins or marbles, the Hulk figure had sharp, protruding limbs. The primary medical challenge was the natural valve located between the esophagus and the stomach.

• The Slippage Factor: Because of air in the stomach, the plastic toy kept slipping every time the doctors tried to grip it with endoscopic tools.
• The Valve Risk: Pulling the toy by its arms or legs posed a severe risk of tearing the delicate valve, which could have led to permanent internal damage or required major open surgery.
• Intestinal Danger: If the toy had migrated further into the intestines, it could have caused a rupture or a life-threatening blockage.

With extreme patience and precision, the surgical team spent nearly 45 minutes navigating the endoscope. They eventually managed to secure a firm grip on the toy’s head, allowing them to carefully pull it through the valve and out of the child’s throat without a single incision.

A Happy Ending and a Warning for Parents

Following the successful procedure on January 19, Vansh was kept under observation and has since made a full recovery. He was recently discharged, much to the relief of his family.

Dr. Joshi used the occasion to issue a plea to parents regarding toy safety.

“This was a lucky escape. Parents must be extremely vigilant with toddlers, especially with toys that have small parts or figures that can be swallowed whole. Always check for age-appropriateness and keep a constant eye on children while they play.”

The “Hulk” might be an invincible Avenger on screen, but in the hands of a curious toddler, it became a life-threatening hazard that required real-life heroes in white coats to defeat.