When bronchoscopy does not suffice for airway foreign body removal: a series of cases requiring tracheotomy

To illustrate the importance of tracheotomy in difficult cases of foreign body inhalation and to enumerate the indications of the same.

A retrospective analysis of 5 cases in which the standard rigid bronchoscopic approach had to be combined with the open surgical approach (tracheotomy) for the removal of the inhaled foreign body for different indications.

Combining the two procedures lead to successful removal of foreign body and restoration of airway in all the cases. Tracheostomies whenever performed were temporary.

Foreign body aspiration is an otorhinolaryngologic emergency that can rapidly prove fatal if not well-handled. Though most cases can be dealt with by traditional approaches, a proportion of the cases may prove challenging and need a quick tailoring of response according to the situation at hand. An approach combining tracheotomy with the traditional bronchoscopic approach is one such way and in well-selected cases, can have a significant impact on the outcome; sometimes even in terms of life and death.