Perioperative Care of an Infant With an Open Safety Pin in the Hypopharynx

In the practice of pediatric anesthesia, foreign body (FB) aspiration represents a commonly encountered surgical emergency, which may lead to morbidity and mortality if not handled in a timely and effective fashion. We present a 12-month-old infant who was found to have a sharp FB lodged in the hypopharynx at the level of the glottis, leading to a unique clinical challenge, both from the standpoint of airway management and removal technique. We discuss the symptoms and radiographic manifestations of FB aspiration. Options for anesthetic management are presented and potential complications are reviewed. J Med Cases. 2015;6(4):146-149 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2017w