An open safety pin in the larynx: a case report

Inhalation of a foreign body is a serious event. The number of foreign bodies that become impacted in the larynx is small and requires urgent recognition. We describe the case of a six-month-old baby with an impacted open safety pin in the larynx. The sharp end of the safety pin was upwards and had penetrated the anterior end of the left vocal fold. We discuss the management and describe our method of removal of the foreign body. Tracheostomy was not required in this case and the child had an uneventful recovery. A brief review of the literature is included.