Man’s Stomach Ruptured After Drinking Liquid Nitrogen-Infused Cocktail
A 34-year-old man in Mexico suffered a life-threatening stomach rupture after consuming an alcoholic beverage infused with liquid nitrogen, highlighting the dangers of increasingly popular, yet potentially hazardous, culinary trends.
A seemingly innocuous night at a bar took a terrifying turn for a 34-year-old man in Mexico when he experienced excruciating abdominal pain moments after drinking a “smoky” cocktail. The man was immediately admitted to the emergency department, exhibiting symptoms that quickly escalated to include profuse sweating, lethargy, and alarming vital signs. His heart rate soared to 124 beats per minute – significantly above the normal range of 60 to 100 bpm – accompanied by rapid breathing, low blood pressure, and a dangerously low body temperature of 95.7°F (35.4°C).
Initial examination revealed widespread abdominal discomfort and tenderness, ruling out localized issues like appendicitis. The patient revealed the drink contained liquid nitrogen, prompting doctors to suspect a catastrophic outcome: a ruptured stomach. Liquid nitrogen, when warmed, expands in volume by approximately 700 times. “Owing to the enormous difference in temperature between the liquid, at minus 351 F (minus 196 C), and the man’s body, the substance could have rapidly swelled into a gas, and thus popped the stomach like an overinflated balloon,” doctors noted in a case report detailing the incident.
To confirm their suspicions, physicians employed a technique known as percussion, tapping on the patient’s abdomen to listen for telltale sounds. Normally, areas containing air, like the stomach, produce a high-pitched, “tympanic” sound. Solid or liquid-filled organs, such as the liver, generate a lower-pitched, “dull” sound. In this case, the entire abdomen resonated with a tympanic sound, even over the region where the stomach should be.
Further investigation using CT scans revealed a layer of trapped nitrogen gas – a condition called pneumoperitoneum – located above the stomach and below the lungs. This definitively confirmed the stomach had ruptured, and the gas had accumulated in the abdominal cavity.
The medical team swiftly intervened, performing a minimally invasive procedure. A small incision was made to release the trapped gas, followed by the insertion of a laparoscope – a thin tube with a camera – to locate and repair the perforation. Surgeons successfully sutured the 1.2-inch (3 centimeter) hole in the stomach using tissue from elsewhere in the abdomen. Remarkably, the patient made a swift recovery and was discharged within three days after demonstrating tolerance to a liquid diet.
Beyond the immediate threat of stomach rupture, consuming liquid nitrogen before complete evaporation poses a risk of severe cold burns, as the substance can freeze water within cells and cause tissue damage. Fortunately, the patient avoided such injuries to his mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Doctors attributed this to the Leidenfrost effect, a phenomenon where a liquid encountering a much warmer surface instantly vaporizes a layer, creating an insulating barrier. “This insulating gas layer may explain why the liquid nitrogen didn’t burn the man while passing through his gullet,” the report stated.
Liquid nitrogen is a common tool in professional kitchens, utilized for flash-freezing to preserve food quality – particularly in meats and seafood. This method efficiently preserves protein structure and locks in moisture. However, these applications ensure the nitrogen has fully evaporated before consumption.
The incident underscores the dangers of using liquid nitrogen for purely aesthetic purposes, such as creating a smoky effect in cocktails or other dishes. Consuming items before the nitrogen has completely vaporized can have devastating consequences. Experts recommend waiting until the visible cloud dissipates before consuming anything garnished with liquid nitrogen, or opting for presentations where the substance is used near food, rather than within it, to minimize risk.
For more compelling medical cases, explore our Diagnostic Dilemma archives.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical or food safety advice.
