WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

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Poster Display - 204

Nine Months with a Pin: Thoracotomy After Repeated Bronchoscopic Failures in a 16-Year-Old with Hijab Syndrome - A Case Report

Bahaa Bou Dargham 1, Saad Eddine El Hariri 1, Tarek Omais 1, Dima Moukhadder 2
1 Faculty of Medicine, Beirut Arab University, Beirut , Lebanon
2 Hammoud Hospital University Medical Center (HHUMC), Saida, Lebanon

Objective: Inhalation of sharp foreign bodies, such as pins, is typically managed with bronchoscopic procedures. However, failure of endoscopic retrieval presents a significant clinical challenge. This case highlights a surgical approach in the context of unsuccessful bronchoscopies.

Case Report: A 16-year-old girl presented after accidentally inhaling a pin. Multiple bronchoscopic attempts failed to retrieve the foreign body, which was lodged in the middle lobe of the right lung. Definitive management was achieved via thoracotomy.

Conclusion: This case emphasizes the importance of timely escalation to surgical intervention when bronchoscopic retrieval fails. We discuss the rationale for surgical removal of retained sharp foreign bodies and propose criteria for transitioning from endoscopic to open surgical management. These insights are crucial for guiding multidisciplinary teams and effectively communicating the treatment plan to patients and families.

Keywords: Foreign Body Aspiration, Bronchoscopy, Thoracotomy, Hijab Syndrome, Sharp Object Inhalation

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