Elaine Esposito

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Elaine Esposito (December 3, 1934 – November 25, 1978), of Tarpon Springs, Florida, U.S., holds the record for longest coma.

Elaine never stirred after being anaesthetized for an appendectomy on August 6, 1941, when aged 6. She died aged 43 years 357 days, having been in a coma for 37 years 111 days. She was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Esposito.

Elaine's coma evidenced states between deep sleep and open-eyed unconsciousness. Medical opinion has been divided as to whether the child had incipient encephalitis at the time of the appendectomy or whether oxygen to the brain was insufficient while she was on the operating table.