Liquid Nitrogen Cocktail: Man Undergoes Emergency Surgery

THE ESSENTIAL

• A 38-year-old man was rushed to intensive care after drinking a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen.
• The gas, made from compressed and purified air, perforated his stomach.
• Once operated on, the patient was declared conscious and on the mend.

A Christmas party in Moscow took a frightening turn when a 38-year-old guest, identified as sergei, required intensive care after consuming a cocktail laced wiht liquid nitrogen. The incident, reported by a British daily, involved a drink allegedly offered by an “unidentified starred chef.” Liquid nitrogen, a gas derived from compressed and purified air, is commonly used to create visually striking frozen desserts or the “dragon’s breath” effect-where food emits a vapor cloud when exposed to air, as explained by the National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (NCCEH).

Liquid Nitrogen Ingestion Caused Stomach Perforation

the extremely cold temperature of liquid nitrogen can cause both asphyxiation and perforation of the airways or stomach. In Sergei’s case, after drinking the cocktail, he clutched his stomach in agonizing pain before collapsing. Doctors quickly steadfast that the rapid expansion of gaseous nitrogen inside his body had ruptured his stomach.surgeons operated to repair the torn organ,and following the procedure,Sergei regained consciousness and began to recover,though his condition remains serious.

Did you know? – Liquid nitrogen has a temperature of -320°F (-196°C). Direct contact can cause severe frostbite in seconds. It’s used in cryotherapy and medical procedures, but requires careful handling.

The Dangers of “Dragon’s Breath” Cocktails

Health professionals are now issuing stark warnings about the perhaps fatal consequences of directly consuming liquid nitrogen. “Liquid nitrogen boils violently at room temperature. Consuming it before complete evaporation can result in serious internal injury or even death. Once ingested, it quickly transforms into a gas in the body, its volume increasing several hundred times. This sudden expansion can cause great internal pressure, leading to stomach rupture, internal bleeding, and organ damage. Extreme cold can also freeze internal tissues, worsening the damage.”

Why did this happen? Sergei consumed a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen at a Christmas party in Moscow. The drink was allegedly prepared by an unidentified chef. Who was involved? The victim was a 38-year-old man named Sergei. The perpetrator remains unidentified. What occurred? Sergei suffered a stomach perforation due to the rapid expansion of the nitrogen gas after ingestion. How did it end? Sergei underwent emergency surgery to repair his stomach and is currently recovering, though his condition is still considered serious.

Pro tip – Never consume food or drinks containing liquid nitrogen before it has fully evaporated. The vapor cloud is for visual effect only; the liquid itself is risky.

The use of liquid nitrogen in beverages is heavily regulated, or outright discouraged, in many countries due to these inherent risks.

Reader question – What safety measures should restaurants take when using liquid nitrogen for presentation? Share your thoughts on how to prevent similar incidents.