Foreign body removal

Abstract

The management of airway foreign bodies began with Gustav Killian and coincides with the birth of interventional bronchoscopy. Each year, thousands of patients, young and old, aspirate foreign bodies into their tracheobronchial tree. A high index of suspicion is required to provide an early diagnosis and rapid extraction of the object. The type of object and its material nature have significant impact on the inflammatory state that develops and the difficulties encountered in removal. The decision to use rigid or flexible bronchoscopy should be made based upon the individual circumstances including the type and location of the object and the risk of complications. There is an increasing array of instruments to assist in retrieval of airway foreign bodies. Adequate preparation and team training are essential. This chapter will review the epidemiology and risks for aspiration of foreign bodies and review the clinical approach and endobronchial instruments available to the endoscopist.