Removal of Open Safety Pin in Larynx: A Challenging Event for an Otolaryngologist

Abstract

Inhalation of foreign body is a serious event. The numbers of foreign bodies that become impacted in the larynx are small and require urgent recognition. We describe the case of a 12 year old girl with an impacted open safety pin in the larynx. The sharp end of the safety pin was upward, below the level of the vocal cords and had pierced the soft tissue. Tracheostomy was required to secure the airway and the child had an uneventful recovery. We discuss the management and describe our method of removal of the foreign body with a brief review of literature.

Keywords

• Open safety pin
• Larynx