The Use of Fiberoptic Bronchoscope in Removal of Inhaled Turban Pin

Straight pins are used extensively for securing facial scarves in women and girls in the islamic countries. Accidental aspiration often results in the pin lodging in the segmental bronchus with the sharp end pointing cephalad. The aim of this study is to find out the role of fiberoptic bronchoscope in the removal of inhaled pins. This study was carried out at the chest department, Kaser El-Aini Hospital and included 40 cases, all were females and their mean age was 16.4±2.98 years. 24 cases where referred after failure of removal of the pin by using the rigid bronchoscope and 16 cases where referred directly from the emergency hospital to the chest department without trial of rigid bronchoscopy. All cases were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination, chest X-ray postero-anterior view and fiberoptic bronchoscope for examination of the tracheo-bronchial tree and removal of the inhaled pin. The inhaled pin was removed by the fiberoptic bronchoscope in all cases without any complications.