A 34-year-old man was admitted to a Vietnamese hospital with severe abdominal cramps. Since the patient was in too much pain to be questioned about his symptoms, the hospital staff conducted an X-ray and an ultrasound which revealed a foreign body in his abdomen, as well as intestinal perforation and peritonitis. Doctors conducted surgery and, upon opening the patient's abdomen, were surprised to find that the foreign object was a 12 inch LIVE eel. The operation was a success and the patient was stabilized. He reported only mild abdominal discomfort after the procedure, but he is still under observation at the hospital. Asked how the large eel could have wound up in his abdomen, the 34-year-old man could not provide a clear answer.