A teenager has had emergency surgery to remove her stomach after drinking a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen. Lancashire Police say Gaby Scanlon was out with friends in Lancaster last Thursday (4 October) when it happened. The 18-year-old 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 from Oscar's wine bar to hospital at 11pm. She was diagnosed with a perforated, or pierced stomach, and is now in a serious but stable condition.

Lancashire Police have not officially named the place where she bought the cocktail, but say Oscar's has stopped selling it. The bar say their "heartfelt best wishes" go to Gaby Scanlon and her family "at this distressing time". A police statement said: "The premises involved have fully co-operated with all agencies and have suspended drinks involving liquid nitrogen. "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 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." Gaby Scanlon had been out celebrating her 18th birthday. Liz Nicholls, principal at Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy, says the teenager is one of their "most hardworking and mature students". In a statement she added: "Our whole school community is shocked and upset at what has happened. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Gaby, her family and her friends who are obviously upset and distressed. "We are pleased to hear that she is making better than expected progress."

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 Gaby Scanlon'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 food including ice cream. In cocktails it is usually used to freeze ingredients, to chill glasses or as a visual gimmick. 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. Liquid nitrogen boils and vaporizes at -196C and freezes at -210C.

so why would you assume drinking something at -200 degrees C is safe to drink?!

Heston Blumenthal has popularised the use of liquid nitrogen in cooking, using it to make food including ice cream. In cocktails it is usually used to freeze ingredients, to chill glasses or as a visual gimmick. 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. Liquid nitrogen boils and vaporizes at -196C and freezes at -210C.

...you'd assume that it's at least relatively safe in small doses.

I'd say it's pretty naturally to assume it wasn't going to explode your insides out - regardless of whether it's sensible to drink these things, you'd assume that it's at least relatively safe in small doses.

Either way, I think the sales of that kind of cocktail may take a bit of a dip...

Jon

We don't actually know if she knew there was liquid nitrogen in the shot, so you can't necessarily blame the girl.

I'm surprised Trading Standards let this sort of thing go on though.

When you drop liquid nitrogen onto a warm surface, it skates around for ages in little balls. I've seen people put them on their tongue without injury. It's perfectly possibly to drink the little balls before they evaporate.