Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012; 60(08): 545-547
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1293598
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Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endobronchial Foreign Body Removed by Flexible Bronchoscopy Using the Trendelenburg Position

Pei-Ming Huang
1   Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China
,
Ming-Wei Kao
1   Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

16 March 2011

10 June 2011

Publication Date:
29 December 2011 (online)

Abstract

Foreign body (FB) aspiration causes various symptoms and sometimes leads to severe conditions. Therefore, its prompt diagnosis and removal are essential to avoid complications. Flexible bronchoscopy is both a safe and effective method to confirm suspected cases of FB aspiration and to facilitate FB removal. However, few articles have dealt with the proper techniques for removal of FB in younger versus older patients based on anatomical variation. We report FB aspiration in an old male patient in whom attempted removal with flexible bronchoscopy failed but was later achieved by repeated flexible bronchoscopy with the patient in the trendelenburg position.