Open Safety pin in upper digestive tract - Report of two rare cases

Sharp foreign bodies in the oesophagus especially open safety pins pose a real challenge to otolaryngologists because of its potential of perforation. There are different techniques described for removal of open safety pins with pointed edge facing up - rotating it in the stomach , engaging the pointed edge into the scope and withdrawing it , or closing it in the lumen of oesophagus , but all these techniques require experience. Rigid scope is preferred for removal of sharp and penetrating foreign bodies .The sharp ends of the foreign body or entire foreign body itself can be introduced into the lumen of rigid endoscope and removed without any risk of lacerating the mucosa during extraction. No such protection is possible with flexible endoscope