In a remarkable minimally invasive procedure, doctors at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, successfully removed a tiny LED bulb lodged deep in a 4-year-old girl’s right lung—without resorting to open surgery. The child, who had accidentally inhaled the bulb while eating rice crackers, was discharged in stable condition after a successful hybrid bronchoscopy technique.
How it happened
The incident occurred when the young girl, playing at home, mistakenly inhaled a small metallic LED bulb. Initially, she experienced breathing difficulties, prompting her family to rush her to KIMS hospital. A CT scan confirmed that the object was lodged in a narrow branch of the lower lobe of the right lung, making retrieval particularly challenging.
The medical breakthrough
A team led by Dr Pradipt Ranjan Sahoo, professor of ENT and head-neck surgery, and Dr Manisha Mallick, assistant professor in the same department, adopted a combined rigid and flexible bronchoscopy approach. This hybrid technique allowed doctors to keep the airway open and stable while precisely locating and maneuvering around the object before safely extracting it.
“Such cases often require complex procedures and, in some instances, open surgery. The successful use of the hybrid bronchoscopy technique in this case demonstrates how minimally invasive methods can effectively manage difficult paediatric airway emergencies while reducing surgical trauma and recovery time,” KIMS said in a statement.
Recovery and discharge
The child recovered without complications, was able to resume eating within a few hours of the procedure, and was discharged in a stable condition on July 20. Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, congratulated the medical team and wished the child a speedy recovery.
Why this matters
Foreign body aspiration in children—such as button batteries, beads, toy parts, and small bulbs—is a common emergency that can become life-threatening if the object gets lodged deep inside the airway. This case highlights the importance of advanced minimally invasive techniques in pediatric care, which can significantly reduce surgical trauma and speed up recovery times.
A pattern of similar cases
This is not the first time Indian doctors have performed such a delicate procedure. Similar cases have been reported at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital, and other centers, where LED bulbs and other small objects were successfully removed from children’s lungs using bronchoscopy and, in some cases, mini thoracotomy.
What parents should know
- Keep small objects away from children: LED bulbs, beads, toy parts, and button batteries should be kept out of reach of young children.
- Watch for symptoms: Persistent cough, breathing difficulties, or wheezing after a child plays with small objects could indicate foreign body aspiration.
- Seek immediate medical attention: If you suspect your child has inhaled or swallowed a foreign object, seek emergency care immediately.
