Intraoperative migration of a nail from the left B10b to the main bronchus

Abstract

Objective: We report a rare case in which an intrapulmonary foreign body underwent a large intraoperative migration. Method: A 57-year-old man with an intrapulmonary nail in the left S10 was admitted into our hospital. Since the removal by a flexible bronchoscopy was unsuccessful, a thoracotomy was performed. Result: Preoperative chest roentgenograms and a bronchoscopy after an endotracheal intubation confirmed that the nail had not migrated. During the operation, however, the nail moved from the periphery of B10b to the main bronchus. Conclusion: It is mandatory to confirm the precise location of a foreign body even during an operation to avoid unnecessary pulmonary resections. © 2007 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.