Photos: 62-year old Russian woman discovers she has had a six-inch surgical clamp inside her stomach for 23 years

A 62-year old Russian woman identified as Ezeta Gobeeva has spoken of her horror after discovering she has had a metal surgical clamp inside her abdomen for 23 years after a caesarian section at a Russian hospital.  

According to reports, she has experienced years of acute pain which doctors blamed on liver problems, prescribing painkillers.  

The woman had a caesarian in 1996, and the surgical clamp; believed to be at least six inches in length has been inside her ever since.

She finally had an X-ray to determine the cause of her extreme discomfort and the shocked radiographer thought she had scissors in her pocket, but soon realised a metal implement was in the woman’s abdomen.  

The health ministry in North Ossetia-Alania region confirmed that an internal investigation is underway into the scandal.  

Spokeswoman Irina Abaeva said: ‘The investigation is in progress. The minister is personally supervising the situation.’  The authorities will meet all medical charges for surgery to remove the clamp and Ms Gobeeva is also expected to receive financial compensation.