Bilobectomy for Neglected Foreign Body Aspiration: A Case Report

Bilobectomy for the extraction of an aspirated foreign body (FB) is a major surgical procedure and is exceedingly rare. We present a case of a 16-year-old male with a prolonged history of recurring chest infections, which had been treated as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A thorough review of medical history and diagnostic imaging studies revealed that the patient had experienced a foreign body aspiration (FBA) involving a push pin four years ago. The FB was successfully removed via right thoracotomy and subsequent bilobectomy of the middle and lower lobes, and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Clinicians should bear in mind that the aspiration of an FB constitutes a life-threatening condition necessitating a high degree of clinical suspicion and prompt intervention.