Friday April 27, 2007

Scenario; While reviewing the CXR after intubation, you found an entire tooth lying in right main bronchus. What should be your response after ?


Answer: Teeth should be removed immediately with bronchoscopy for 2 reasons:

1. To avoid any complication like pneumonia, perforation, atelactasis etc.

2. An intact tooth can be reimplanted and saved, if performed within an hour. Tooth should be saved in normal saline and oral surgeon should be called immediately.