Retrieval of Aspirated Foreign Bodies in Children Using a Flexible Bronchoscope and a Laryngeal Mask Airway

Abstract

The gold standard for removal of foreign bodies from airways is rigid bronchoscopy in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia. Flexible bronchoscopy is performed frequently in young children with recurrent or persistent pneumonia, and a foreign body may be found in the airway during the procedure. Pediatric flexible bronchoscopes have a narrow inner suction channel that does not allow the use of appropriate forceps to remove the foreign body. We describe five cases of foreign bodies found during routine flexible bronchoscopy (using a pediatric bronchoscope; Pentax FB10X) in children. The foreign bodies were extracted during the same anesthetic period using a laryngeal mask airway introduced through the mouth and a large flexible bronchoscope (Pentax FB15X) through which forceps were passed. This method allows the pediatric bronchoscopist to remove a foreign body during the same procedure and during the same anesthetic period.