Aspirated Tooth in a Child Following Traditional (Non-Clinical) Extraction: A Rare Complication with Delayed Referral in the Right Bronchus - A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE

To report a rare case of aspirated tooth following a traditional, non-clinical extraction in a child, emphasizing the risks of delayed referral and management challenges in fragile health systems.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This is a case report of a 9-year-old girl managed at Mogadishu Somali-Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital (MSTH) after referral from a peripheral hospital. Diagnostic evaluation included chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT), followed by therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy.

RESULTS – CASE REPORT: The child aspirated a tooth during a traditional hand-based extraction at home. She presented with persistent cough and respiratory distress, with delayed referral from Kismayo to Mogadishu. CT imaging revealed a radiopaque foreign body lodged in the right main bronchus. Rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia successfully retrieved the tooth. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged in good condition on day two.

CONCLUSION

Tooth aspiration is a rare but serious complication of traditional dental practices. This case underscores the importance of early recognition, appropriate imaging, and rigid bronchoscopy for definitive management. Strengthening public awareness, referral pathways, and dental care regulation is crucial to prevent similar complications in resource-limited settings.