Rigid bronchoscopic removal of multiple airway foreign bodies

Despite new equipment, such as the Hopkins rod-lens telescopes and optical forceps, foreign bodies in the airway continue to present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the endoscopist. Airway foreign bodies are more common in children than adults and frequently, the patient may have aspirated more than one foreign body or the original foreign body fragments into pieces. Vegetable matter is the most frequently aspirated material by children. This material can swell as it absorbs water, it can cause an intense mucosal reaction and it can fragment during removal. A case with endoscopic photographs demonstrating these issues and a discussion are presented.