The value of open surgical approaches for aspirated pen caps

The aim of this study was to present the therapeutic approach of aspirated pen cap foreign bodies, with emphasis on the importance of open surgical intervention.

The records of patients who underwent bronchoscopy and bronchoscopy and surgical therapy for pen cap foreign bodies between January 1997 and June 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnosis was made based on history, physical examination, radiological methods, and bronchoscopy. Age, sex, symptoms, radiological methods, surgical procedure, complications, and outcomes were recorded.

A total of 24 bronchoscopies were performed on 19 patients (10 boys, 9 girls) with a median age of 11 years (range, 8-15 years). Pen caps were localized in the right bronchial tree in 14 cases (74%). Pen caps were extracted successfully by forceps during bronchoscopy in 9 patients. Of the remaining 10 patients, 5 underwent bronchoscopy and tracheostomy and 5 patients underwent thoracotomy and bronchotomy. Significant complications were observed in 2 patients (10.53%) (severe bronchospasm in one and pneumothorax and subglottic edema in another).

Pen caps aspiration is a challenging problem because of the difficulties during extraction and higher morbidity compared with other foreign body aspirations. In such cases in which classic bronchoscopy failed and/or pen caps could not be removed via vocal cords, open surgical approaches, either bronchoscopy and tracheostomy or thoracotomy and bronchotomy, may be an alternative procedure of choice.