Constipated man has life-saving surgery after inserting a massive LIVE EEL up his bum as a bizarre cure for his condition

A CHINESE man almost died after inserting a foot-long eel up his bum supposedly as a folk remedy to treat constipation.

The 49-year-old, who has been identified only by the surname Liu, was hospitalised last week when the live fish began to wreak havoc on his intestines, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

The man from Baiyun District in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong Province, told doctors that pals said his bowel condition could be treated by a living eel in the unproven remedy.

But after shoving a 20-inch Asian swamp eel up his backside, he later decided to check himself into hospital when his stomach pain became too unbearable.

Doctors said the man arrived at Guangzhou Dongren Hospital complaining of abdominal pain – but did not reveal his bizarre stunt.

Medics rushed him into surgery and were stunned when they found the 1.2-inch thick animal inside his stomach.

Dr Zhao Zhirong said: “We opened up his stomach and saw the eel amongst his faeces and food debris.”He also suffered a punctured pancreas.”