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In today’s world, few things truly astonish us, but certain discoveries still manage to leave us in awe. Among these are the unexpected items found inside the human body—things that simply don’t belong there. While many documented cases involve medical errors or parasites burrowing under the skin (cue the shudders), the scope of these bizarre findings goes far beyond.
From insects to misplaced surgical tools and everything in between, here’s a countdown of the ten most astonishing—and often unsettling—objects ever retrieved from a person.
10. Cysts
Occasionally, the substances that become lodged in our bodies aren’t there by choice, such as cysts. Beyond the pus and fluid often associated with larger cysts, those that remain for extended periods can transform into peculiar formations, resembling odd human pearls or even brain-like structures, both fascinating and eerie.
The video above features Dr. Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, extracting cysts that have been present in a woman’s head for 35 years. If you’re squeamish, this might not be for you. However, this isn’t the first case of someone having an ancient cyst (though not a formal medical term) removed from their body.
In another case, one of her patients—Roger, a familiar face for fans of the show—had a nasal cyst that developed its own blood vessel. When a cyst gains access to a blood supply, it begins to grow, similar to tumors. Roger’s cyst expanded to such a size that it dangled over his mouth. He eventually had surgery to remove the cyst and reconstruct his nostril, finally ending his 10 to 12-year struggle with rhinophyma.
Dr. Pimple Popper is a must-watch series for anyone fascinated by cyst removal or self-proclaimed popaholics. It highlights how some of the most bizarre items removed from our bodies aren’t things we’ve inserted; rather, our bodies are like hidden oyster factories, producing these oddities naturally.
9. Larvae
Yes, insects make this list too. It’s no secret that certain flies lay eggs under human skin, which hatch into larvae and thrive as if they’re at a Chuck E. Cheese playground. The botfly, in particular, is a notorious culprit in these unsettling scenarios.
Botflies are parasitic insects that invade the skin of mammals. Resembling bumblebees in appearance, these nightmarish creatures are best eradicated with extreme measures. The fly deposits its eggs beneath the skin, or the larvae seek out a host and burrow in (reminiscent of the manga “Parasyte”). The larvae create painful, wound-like marks, often accompanied by pustules. You might even sense movement beneath the affected area.
Removal should always be handled by a dermatologist—never attempt it yourself. Prolonged presence of the larvae, which is ill-advised, can lead to severe infections. If the larvae are still alive, doctors typically suffocate them by covering the wound with tape or Vaseline, making extraction easier.
Luckily, those living in colder, drier regions are less likely to encounter botflies. However, if you reside in or visit places like Brazil, extra vigilance is necessary to avoid these skin-crawling invaders.
8. It’s People
No, it’s not soylent green—it’s human tissue. Occasionally, stories surface about individuals having remnants of a twin removed, such as hair or teeth. This occurs when a twin begins to form within another fetus (fetus in fetu) but doesn’t fully develop. While these cases are rare, a notable instance in Malaysia in 2016 involved a remarkably well-developed twin.
A 15-year-old boy was urgently taken to the hospital due to severe stomach pain. Upon examination, doctors found a parasitic twin residing in his abdomen. The twin had fully developed legs, hands, and genitals, though its mouth and nose were incomplete.
Sadly, the removal of the twin led to its death. Parasitic twins depend entirely on their host for survival, and most do not survive beyond birth. However, in rare cases, they continue to grow and are only removed when the host’s health starts to decline.
7. Moths
You’ve likely experienced the annoyance of moths swarming around a porch light at night, forcing you to shield your face and ears as you make your way to the door. This isn’t paranoia—it’s a real concern.
Moths are among the insects that occasionally find their way into human ears. While it’s possible to remove them on your own, seeking medical help is advisable. Doctors typically use warm water or oil to flush out the insect, and for larger bugs like moths, tweezers might be necessary.
6. Roundworm
Initially, I considered tapeworms for this list due to their astonishing lengths, but the extraction videos were too gruesome to watch. Some emerged from noses, others from mouths, and I couldn’t even bring myself to view those exiting from the rear.
Ultimately, I couldn’t endure enough footage to justify writing about tapeworms, so I shifted focus to roundworms. While still unpleasant, they’re slightly more bearable. Roundworm infections occur through contact with contaminated feces or parasite-infested food. They function similarly to tapeworms and are equally unsettling to observe.
In one case, doctors discovered a 6-inch roundworm in a woman’s lip. The relief she must have felt after its removal is unimaginable, but so is the horror of knowing such a creature was thriving on her face.
5. Retractor
Welcome to the section on medical mishaps, where surgeons accidentally leave tools inside patients and stitch them up, oblivious to the new complications they’ve created. First up: a surgical retractor.
A retractor is a tool used by surgeons to hold back tissue and organs during procedures. One patient, Donald Church, found himself with a 12-inch retractor left inside his chest. Despite complaining of sharp pain, his surgeon dismissed it as typical post-surgery discomfort. After 30 days with no relief, an x-ray revealed the forgotten instrument.
Oops, doctor. Just... oops.
4. Forceps
Mr. Church waited just over a month to learn about the object left inside him. But imagine waiting 18 years to discover such a mistake.
In 2017, Va Man Nhat from Vietnam was being treated for a road accident when doctors found a pair of surgical forceps, broken into two pieces, embedded in his abdomen.
Nhat recalled undergoing surgery in 1998 and suspected the scissors had been left inside him during that procedure. He also mentioned experiencing chronic pain post-surgery, but doctors had attributed it to an ulcer.
Turns out, it wasn’t an ulcer—it was scissors.
3. Butt Bottle
Let’s conclude with a case that’s both humiliating and excruciatingly painful.
A 73-year-old farmer, who had a wooden prosthetic limb (a crucial detail), was working in the fields when he felt the urge to relieve himself. With no access to modern plumbing, he opted to use an empty glass jar, previously containing maraschino cherries, as a makeshift toilet.
Unfortunately, his wooden limb gave way, causing him to fall onto the jar. The jar became lodged in his rectum, and the neck of the bottle shattered inside him, leading to significant bleeding. He was immediately taken to the hospital for emergency care.
Doctors successfully removed the jar using obstetric forceps—tools typically used to assist during childbirth—and the man survived the ordeal.
The lesson here? Avoid using jars as toilets.
2. Forks and Spoons
In 2009, Margaret Daalman visited the hospital due to severe stomach pain. An x-ray uncovered that the 52-year-old had approximately 78 pieces of cutlery in her stomach. These items didn’t magically appear—she had consumed the forks and spoons. Daalman underwent a successful surgery to remove the utensils.
Daalman explained that she felt an overwhelming urge to eat the cutlery instead of the food on her plate. Medical professionals noted that her borderline personality disorder played a role in her compulsive behavior of consuming silverware.
1. Cell Phone
A man from Kosovo once swallowed an entire Nokia phone. Yes, you read that right—he ingested a whole cell phone. At 33 years old, he likely knew better, but he did it anyway. The phone remained in his stomach for four days before surgeons extracted it.
Thankfully, the phone was removed in three pieces without the need for invasive surgery. However, doctors were unable to determine why he thought swallowing a phone was a good idea in the first place.
Parents are well aware that batteries pose significant health and safety risks, particularly for babies and toddlers who explore the world by mouthing objects. These batteries contain harmful, corrosive chemicals that can be deadly to young children, and the Nokia battery is no exception. Fortunately, our adult patient in this case was incredibly lucky.
