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Maneuver for the recovery of a foreign body causing a complete airway obstruction: illustrative case

Hector H Gomez-Acevedo1

  • 1American Association of Neurologic Surgeons, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. hgrvvg1@msn.com

Pediatric Emergency Care
|January 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A simple mouth-to-mouth aspiration technique cleared a complete upper airway obstruction in a 12-month-old infant when traditional methods failed. This life-saving maneuver can be used by parents or practitioners in emergencies without equipment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Foreign body aspiration is a common pediatric emergency.
  • Complete airway obstruction requires immediate intervention.
  • Limited equipment and trained personnel pose challenges in remote or resource-limited settings.

Observation:

  • A 12-month-old infant presented with complete upper airway obstruction due to a foreign body.
  • No intubation or cricothyroidotomy equipment was available, and conventional removal methods were unsuccessful.
  • The infant was positioned prone, and mouth-to-mouth/nose aspiration was employed to clear secretions.

Findings:

  • The mouth-to-mouth/nose aspiration maneuver successfully converted a complete airway blockade to a partial one.
  • This technique facilitated the maintenance of an open airway.
  • A soft, light plastic foreign body was subsequently recovered.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a simple, equipment-free method for foreign body removal in critical airway emergencies.
  • The described technique offers a potential life-saving option for parents and healthcare providers in resource-limited environments.
  • It underscores the importance of basic airway management skills in pediatric emergencies.

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