Massive hemoptysis after aspiration of a toothpick.
A 42-year-old man presented with massive hemoptysis. His past medical history was significant for a bayonet injury to the left chest several years ago. A chest computed tomographic scan showed a radio-opaque foreign body in the left lower lobe. A left thoracotomy was performed because of unrelenting hemoptysis in association with a foreign body that could not be retrieved by bronchoscopy. At surgery, a toothpick covered with blood was retrieved from the left lower lobe bronchus. A left lower lobectomy was performed because a lung abscess was present. Postoperatively, the patient confirmed that 1 year prior he had fallen asleep with a toothpick in his mouth while intoxicated.
Background ::: The purpose of this study was to assess the need for a routine histopathologic examination of three common surgical specimens (appendix, gallbladder, hemorrhoid) and its impact on the further management of the patients.