The patient told doctors in Guangzhou that he had heard word on the street that his condition could be effectively relieved or even cured by a living eel, the Guangzhou Daily reported on Tuesday.

He was hospitalised last week when the live fish began to wreak havoc on his intestines after he inserted it in his anus, the report said.

One doctor said that when the man arrived at the hospital, his stomach was inflated like an air balloon, causing sharp pain. In surgery they found the animal had broken through the intestines and generated "a mess" in the man's abdominal cavity, "almost killing him", the doctor said.

I can't tell if this is just the same report as this one from 5 years ago with the serial numbers filed off. These Chinese ass-eel stories can be slippery. Hard to get a firm grip on the facts.

♬♬ When the fish up your ass
Inflates your stomach with gas,
That's a moray. ♬♬

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.