Kilo of metal found in Peruvian's stomach: surgeon

Doctors in northern Peru have removed almost a kilogram of nails, coins and scrap metal from a man's stomach, a surgeon that operated on him said Wednesday.

"The patient came in with severe abdominal pains. After examinations we discovered that he had hundreds of nails in his stomach," Carlos Delgado, a surgeon at the hospital in the town of Cajamarca, told AFP.

Requelme Abanto Alvarado was admitted to the hospital on Friday. After a two-hour operation doctors removed 900 grams (two pounds) of nails, coins and scrap metal from his stomach, as well as a small knife.

"I have never had a case like this," the surgeon said. "I have operated on plenty of patients, but so many things in a stomach, it's really extraordinary."

Alvarado was in a stable condition following the operation, Delgado said, adding that he was now being examined by mental health specialists.

(c) 2009 AFP