A woman surnamed Chen awaits treatment in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province to remove a spatula she used to itch her throat and became stuck, on April 10. It took doctors two operations to remove the 30 centimeter-long spatula, which left 80 percent of her esophageal tissue damaged.

Chen had been cooking at home when she used the spatula handle to scratch an itch deep in her throat and it became stuck. Photo: Guangzhou Daily

An X-ray reveals the entire length of the spatula handle in Chen’s throat. Photo: Guangzhou Daily

The spatula removed from Chen’s throat. Photo: Guangzhou Daily