Use of mediastinoscopy for foreign body removal

Foreign body removal from the aerodigestive tract can be a challenging endeavor despite improvements in technology. Rigid bronchoscopy has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective means of airway foreign body removal with appropriate training and expertise. However, potential complications exist and include extraluminal impaction of a penetrating foreign body during removal. This report details such a complication and the first known use of mediastinoscopy to remove the impacted foreign body to avoid the need for thoracotomy.