An unusual foreign body in the tracheobronchial tree

Foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree are a common occurrence. But the incidence of broken parts of the tracheostomy tube as a foreign body has seldom been reported before. One such case is reported, where a patient presented with two occurrences of broken flanges of Fuller's tracheostomy tube enlodged in the tracheobronchial tree. The first presentation was indeed unusual when the broken components of the tube were found impacted in bilateral primary bronchi. After a period of 6 months, a similar episode recurred and at this time the right flange was found enlodged in the right primary bronchus. At both instances successful removal of the foreign body was possible. This case is being presented based on the peculiarity of the nature of the foreign body and involvement of both bronchi.