Docs stumped by case of ring around scrotum

Doctors hurriedly call in Fire and Rescue Department after finding themselves totally unprepared for — a metal ring jammed around a patient's scrotum.

KUALA LUMPUR: It was an emergency that doctors at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) did not have the proper tools for — the removal of a metal ring from a patient’s scrotum.

In the end, the Fire and Rescue Department was called in to assist with the delicate job as the ring could not be pried off the scrotum due to the surrounding area having swollen considerably.

Operations director Azizan Ismail confirmed that the KL Fire and Rescue Department received a call from the hospital seeking help at around 3.45pm yesterday.

Understandably, even their officers were left scratching their heads as to how to tackle this delicate yet painful job skilfully.

Resorting to the use of common hardware tools like a pair of pliers, and others to hold the man’s “tackle and gear” in place, the officers had to proceed carefully as they cut through the ring which was believed to be made of steel.

While the delicate operation was in progress, the officers did their best to put the man at ease.

“We tried to talk to him during the procedure but he was too embarrassed to speak.

“In my 29 years as a fireman, I’ve never seen such a situation before,” one officer was quoted by The Star Online as saying.

It is reported that the man was grimacing in pain the entire time although by about 5pm, the ring was successfully removed, much to everyone’s relief, especially the patient’s.

However, how the ring came to be placed around such an unusual choice of appendage remains painfully unclear.