The 14-centimeters-long toothbrush is blackened, covered in intestinal stones. Photo: screenshot of video by Knews

Doctors in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province have removed a half-disintegrated toothbrush from the intestines of a man who tried to commit suicide by swallowing it 20 years ago.

The 14-centimeters-long toothbrush was blackened, covered in intestinal stones and all its bristles had decomposed when it was removed from the man during surgery, Knews reported on Monday.

"It looked like an antique from centuries ago," Liu Jialin, a doctor who treated the patient said. 

The patient, now in his 50s, suffered from a serious illness 20 years ago and tried to end his life by swallowing the toothbrush.

It turned out his illness was cured and the toothbrush did not cause him any problem, so he thought it had already dissolved.

In June, the man felt some discomfort and went to the hospital where doctors discovered the long forgotten toothbrush in his gut. He is recovering well, the report said.

Knews