Med Lasers.  2020 Jun;9(1):65-70. 10.25289/ML.2020.9.1.65.

A Case of Bilateral Tension Pneumothorax after the Successful CO₂ Laser-assisted Removal of a Bronchial Foreign Body in a Child

• Mun IK
• Ju YR
• Lee SJ
• Woo SH

• KMID: 2533468
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25289/ML.2020.9.1.65

Abstract

Bronchial foreign body aspiration (BFA) is a common but emergent condition in infants and children. Furthermore, it can result in various complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and pneumothorax. Among these, pneumothorax is a very rare complication. However, it can be fatal without the swift implementation of appropriate treatment. We experienced a case of 16-month-old girl with an aspirated peanut. The foreign body was fixed in her left main bronchus. A CO₂ laser was used to safely cut and break the foreign body. Removal was successful after breaking it. But after the process, inflammatory tissue of the tracheal mucosa was ruptured. Bilateral tension pneumothorax followed after the rupture. The patient was treated with bilateral chest tube insertion. Here we present this BFA case with a rare and unex pected complication. We also review the appropriate literature.

Keyword

Foreign body; Tension pneumothorax; Chest tubes; CO₂ laser