# Flexible Bronchoscopy for Sewing Pin Removal From Intrabronchial in a Young Adult: A Case Report From Calmette Hospital, Cambodia

## TL;DR

A 20-year-old man in Cambodia accidentally inhaled a sewing pin, which was successfully removed using flexible bronchoscopy, avoiding surgery.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of flexible bronchoscopy in a resource-limited setting for foreign body removal.

## Key findings

- Flexible bronchoscopy successfully removed a sewing pin from the trachea and bronchus.
- The patient was discharged the same day without complications.
- Timely intervention prevented the need for surgical removal.

## Abstract

Foreign body aspiration is a frightening experience that can be life‐threatening. Although it occurs more frequently in children, it can also affect adults, often related to neurological illness, dental procedures, or accidental aspiration during daily activities. Diagnosis relies on clinical history, imaging and bronchoscopy. We report a case of a 20‐year‐old Cambodian man, a wedding decorator, who accidentally inhaled a sewing pin while laughing during work. He presented with persistent cough and dyspnoea. Chest radiography initially showed the pin in the trachea, which later migrated into the left main bronchus. The foreign body was successfully removed using flexible bronchoscopy under moderate sedation, after local anaesthesia proved inadequate. The patient was discharged the same day without complications. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of flexible bronchoscopy and the importance of timely intervention in preventing surgical intervention, particularly in resource‐limited settings.

We report a case of sewing‐pin aspiration in a young Cambodian adult successfully managed with flexible bronchoscopy by a compassionate and coordinated multidisciplinary team. The case underscores how a simple household object can become life‐threatening and highlights the growing importance of bronchoscopy services in Cambodian hospitals.