Teenager's stomach removed after
drinking cocktail
A teenager has had emergency surgery to remove her stomach after drinking a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen.
Lancashire Police say the 18-year-old was out with friends in Lancaster on Thursday 4 October when it happened.
The woman is reported to have become breathless and developed severe stomach pain before being taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary.
Officers say she would have died if doctors had not performed the operation.
The woman, from Heysham in Lancashire, was taken to hospital at 11pm.
She was diagnosed with a perforated, or pierced stomach. The 18-year-old is now in a serious but stable condition.
'Toxic chemical'
Lancashire Police have not named the place where she bought the cocktail, but say it has stopped selling it.
A statement said: "The premises involved have fully co-operated with all agencies and have suspended drinks involving liquid nitrogen.
John AshtonDirector of public health for CumbriaAlcohol itself is a very dangerous thing if improperly handled and liquid nitrogen is a toxic chemical. It destroys human tissue
"The investigation is still in its early stages and we are still interviewing witnesses to establish the full facts."
The force said they had been warning other bars in the town about what had happened.
Doctor John Ashton, director of public health for Cumbria, said: "This poor girl is the victim of an irresponsible alcohol industry that's now competing on gimmicks.
"Alcohol itself is a very dangerous thing if improperly handled and liquid nitrogen is a toxic chemical. It destroys human tissue."
Other uses
If swallowed, liquid nitrogen can cause cold burns to the mouth, throat and stomach, killing the tissue.
As the frozen vapour hits the stomach it rapidly warms, releasing large volumes of air which can burst the stomach.
Doctors performed emergency surgery to remove the 18-year-old's stomach, an operation known as a total gastrectomy.
During the operation the stomach is cut out and the remaining two tubes to and from the stomach, the oesophagus and the small bowel, are connected.
People who have had a gastrectomy will still be able to lead a normal life and eat and drink regular food but they will need to eat smaller amounts and take vitamin supplements to make sure they get enough nourishment.
Heston Blumenthal has popularised the use of liquid nitrogen in cooking, using it to make ice cream.
It is also used in medicine to remove unwanted skin, warts and pre-cancerous cells, while in industry it can be used as a coolant for things like computers.
Additionally it has been used in cryogenics, where scientists find what happens to materials at very cold temperatures
