Man coughs up screw after operation

Wed Oct 12, 9:55 AM ET

Four years ago, Etienne Verhees broke two vertebrae falling off a ladder, after which doctors put a metal plate in his neck to help heal the wound.

This week, the Belgian coughed up one of four screws used to hold the plate in place.

"I have had a cold for the past few days," Verhees told daily Gazet Van Antwerpen. "I had a terrible cough a few days ago. That's when I suddenly felt something in my mouth.

"It turned out to be a screw."

One of the doctors involved told the paper he assumed the screw had moved because of an infection Verhees suffered following a second operation, which caused his neck to swell.


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I suppose this Belgian has the right to feel "screwed" by his surgeons. It makes me think of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer dropped a Junior Mint into a surgical candidate or last year when a man discovered he had a nail in his skull. Did the article discuss Verhees' recovery or litigation options? http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common.../icon_wink.gif

Crystal,

You made me laugh out loud (but no hardware damage, thank goodness).

Hee-heeeeeee,
-j

Crystal - I about fell out of my chair from laughter on that commentary http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

How in the H**** can this happen? Upon first glance of this, it is easy to make speculations or conclusions.... I would *think* that this guy would have had a lot more symptoms than reported above prior to allegedly coughing up a screw - from his spine??? It would be interesting to see what further investigations reveal. I just find this hard to believe.

I think further investigation will show that this guy has a few screws loose.

Oh my! I didn't realize my comments were that "punny." Sahuaro, that was a good one too! Once again, thanks for the healing properties of laughter. Make sure you get your dose each and every day!

It's amazing how quite often the truth is stranger than fiction http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Crystal,

Today's dose came in the form of laughing at myself. In case you haven't had your daily chuckle, I'll share.

Rotten day, nothing but self-pity and grumbles ... hurting, got that "cold coming on" feeling, was the only one in the office today, people unreasonably expected me to actually work while I was in the workplace, grudgingly stopped at the store on my way home to pick up weekend essentials, got in shortest line to wait the longest time, traffic awful, grumble-grumble ... finally home, put away groceries, got rid of unnecessary clothing, ahhh!, woofers happy to see me, smiles!, couch is calling, furry ottoman offers himself, furry lap-warmer offers herself, TiVo found some good stuff while I was gone, things are looking up! ... but nagging feeling that something's wrong .. oh, sheesh, isn't this day done *yet*!? ... can't relax, nagging feeling won't go away, what the heck's wrong now?, grumble-grumble ... get up to retrace my steps, find myself in kitchen and can't remember why (I used to have such a quick mind before this pain came, grumble-grumble), open 'fridge ... what's that??? why is the Woolite in there? and if the Woolite is in there, then where's the milk? ... oh, there it is, still cold, in the laundry cupboard ... ooops! ... peals of laughter!!! http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common.../icon_wink.gif

Not such a bad day after all, especially after woofers were so amused at my laughter that they became clowns so I could laugh some more.

-j, on the couch with warm feet & lap, and a giggle that keeps coming back

(and completely off-topic, again, I'm sorry http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...on_redface.gif )

Hi J,
When I have moments like the one you mentioned, I just say that I'm in special education, no more questions asked. http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common.../icon_razz.gif

It's interesting to see how a Belgian man with a "screw loose" can touch the lives of people all over the world. Thank you Mr. Verhees, I hope you are feeling better.

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