[Surgical Removal of a Metallic Staple in Right Lower Bronchus, Aspirated a Year Before]

A 77-year-old man was referred to our hospital, due to an intrabronchial foreign body. He had aspirated a metallic staple during carpentry work a year before. A bronchoscopic examination revealed a fixed metallic staple at the entrance of right lower bronchus surrounded by granulation tissue, causing a marked bronchial stenosis. In addition, a sharp edge of the staple stabbed the membranous portion of intermediate bronchus. Endoscopic removal was thought to have a risk of tracheal laceration or bleeding. Then we successfully removed it surgically through transpleural bronchotomy.