Managing oropharyngeal penetrating metallic foreign body into parapharyngeal space in a child: A case report

Abstract 

Oropharyngeal foreign bodies penetrating into parapharyngeal space of neck are rare and may cause extensive neurovascular injuries and their management tests the skills of both surgeon and anesthetist. In this article we report a child who presented with impacted metallic foreign body penetrating the oropharynx and entering into the parapharyngeal space of neck after causing injury to lower incisors and canine teeth and fracturing mandible. The difficulties encountered during intubation and precautions taken are discussed. Exploration of the wound using cervical transpharyngeal approach resulted in uneventful extraction of metallic foreign body with no neurological sequel and morbidity.

Keywords: Penetrating oropharyngeal foreign body, Airway management, Cervical transpharyngeal approach