J Korean Dent Soc Anesthesiol.  2010 Jun;10(1):54-57. 10.17245/jkdsa.2010.10.1.54.

The Aspiration of Foreign Body in the Left Tracheobronchial Tree during Gold Crown Restoration: A Case Report

• Shin TJ
• Seo KS
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2345098
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17245/jkdsa.2010.10.1.54

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) into the tracheobronchial tree could be life threatening requiringprompt intervention. Any objects placed in the oral cavity put patients at a risk of aspirating or swallowing the objects slipped or broken by physical injuries. Here, we report a case of 30 yr old patient with FBA during gold crown replacement was successfully treated with the use of the flexible bronchoscope. CASE: A 30 yr old woman was admitted to Seoul National Dental Hospitalfor an amalgam restoration. She was scheduled to gold crown restoration for replacement of the damaged amalgam at #37 site. After performing crown lengthening procedure, the aspiration of gold crown occurred during the cementation of the crown. After aspiration, the patients complained of the subjective distress of respiration. Chest radiograph revealed that gold crown was enlodged to the left bronchus. Flexible fiberoptics was inserted to the bronchus to remove the aspirated crown. Fiberoptic assisted removal of the aspiratedcrown was successfully performed. After removal, there was no radiopaque material in the left bronchus on follow-up chest radiograph. DISCUSSION: When aspiration of dental materials occurs, flexible fiberoptic can be used in the treatment of FBA. It is also very useful to take preventive management such as rubber dam, application of dental floss in dental procedure where there is high likelihood of FBA.

Keyword

Foreign bodies; Aspiration; Flexible fiberoptics

MeSH Terms

Bronchi
Bronchoscopes
Cementation
Crown Lengthening
Crowns*
Deglutition
Dental Devices, Home Care
Dental Materials
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Foreign Bodies*
Humans
Mouth
Radiography, Thoracic
Respiration
Rubber Dams
Seoul
Trees*
Dental Materials