A CHINESE man with a huge hole in his chest has survived for 10 years by covering the wound – with CIGARETTE PACKETS.

Rao Jiacang, 51, was left with a gaping hole over his chest – through which his beating heart can be seen – after he ran out of cash to complete surgery.

Rao says he changes the sterile plaster over his chest himself.

He uses cigarette-box cartons on the opening and changes it several times a day.

He said: “I had the operation in 1998, I was then laid up for almost five years but gradually got used to the wound, and since 2003 I have been back on my feet.”

He has now appealed for a donor to pay for the operation to be finished after his children left home and he claims his wife can no longer cope.

The Sun