Anaesthestic Management of Removal of Aspirated Hypodermic Needle in Trachea: A Case Report

Abstract

Aspiration of foreign body is a very common emergency in paediatric age group. It is very rare in adult population. Moreover common foreign body in adults are food materials. Aspiration of hypodermic needle is very rarely reported. But this can happen accidentally during use of hypodermic needle for dental block. We hereby report such a case of aspiration of hypodermic needle accidentally aspirated during performing a dental block. Aspiration of sharp foreign body and its bronscopic removal can lead to injury to airway. We report successful management of such a case where needle was removed under general anaesthesia successfully using rigid bronchoscope.Keywords Anaesthetic management Á Aspiration of hypodermic needle Á Case report Dear Editor,A 19-year-old male belonging to ASA 1E presented to our emergency department (ED) with severe respiratory distress. He attended a dental clinic for drainage of abscess 1 h earlier. The hypodermic needle used for the local anaesthetic infiltration got detached from the syringe and was aspirated by the patient. This was followed by paroxysms of severe coughing.On assessment, patient was found to be in tripod position having tachypnoea (respiratory rate of 40-45 min), peripheral oxygen saturation of 95 % breathing room air. He was fasting for more than 6 h. Chest radiography confirmed presence of foreign body in the trachea (Fig.