Abstract
We report a case of long-standing bronchial foreign body resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). A 54-year-old man referred to our hospital because of the present of cough. A chest X-ray film and a chest CT scan showed a metallic foreign body associated with bronchiectatic change with infiltrative shadow of the right lower lobe. Based on these roentgenograms and interviews with the patient, the foreign body was deduced to be an air-gun lead bullet which he had accidentally aspirated at age 14. The foreign body located in a position which was difficult to approach by means of bronchoscope that was due to secondary changes around it. A pulmonary wedge resection was performed by VATS. We conclude that VATS is safe and useful in terms of surgical treatment for a bronchial foreign body in the peripheral lung field when its bronchoscopic removal seems to be difficult.
