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Foreign-body aspiration during microlaryngoscopy: an unusual case of instrument failure

Eric Monteiro1, Paolo Campisi

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|February 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Instrument failure can cause patient harm. This case report highlights a rare instance of a microlaryngeal instrument fracturing due to metal fatigue, leading to airway aspiration, emphasizing the need for regular instrument inspection.

Area of Science:

  • Surgical Complications
  • Materials Science in Medicine
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Instrument failure is a known surgical complication, frequently documented in orthopedic and obstetrical procedures.
  • Previous reports of instrument failure causing airway foreign bodies are extremely rare, with only one documented case in English literature.

Observation:

  • This case report details the aspiration of a fractured microlaryngeal instrument component.
  • The instrument failure was attributed to metal fatigue and corrosion.

Findings:

  • Microlaryngeal instrument fracture leading to airway aspiration is a critical complication.
  • Metal fatigue and corrosion are identified as primary causes of such instrument failure.

Implications:

  • Routine and vigilant inspection of microlaryngeal instruments is crucial for early detection of metal corrosion and fatigue.
  • Preventing instrument failure can mitigate risks of patient morbidity and rare complications like airway foreign body aspiration.

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