Dangerous pencils and a new technique for removal of foreign bodies

Aspirated foreign bodies are important problems during childhood. Some instances may be fatal. Most of the foreign bodies are removed with use of classic instruments like rigid bronchoscopes and foreign body forceps. But sometimes we fail to remove them, particularly aspirated beads and spherical objects. In this case, a Fogarty catheter is helpful. Although we have had many experiences recently we failed to remove one aspirated foreign body which was a pencil cap. We succeeded in removing this pencil cap with a new technique that is explained in this article. We used a Storz transbronchial aspiration biopsy needle and a cotton-carrier stylet to remove the pencil cap.