Removal of an aspirated dental bridge in the right main bronchus after endotracheal tube extubation: A case report.

RATIONALE: Foreign body aspiration into bronchial tubes is a serious medical problem. Here, we report a case of bronchial foreign body removal using flexible bronchoscopy with a balloon catheter and cryoadhesions.

PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was diagnosed with septic shock and was treated in the intensive care unit. After improvement and extubation, chest radiography revealed a bronchial foreign body, and atelectasis in the right lower lobe was confirmed.

DIAGNOSES: Chest radiography revealed the presence of a radiopaque foreign body in the right main bronchus.

INTERVENTIONS: A balloon catheter was used to dislodge the foreign body with a retrograde pull, and the foreign body was removed using cryoadhesions.

OUTCOMES: The foreign body was successfully removed using a balloon catheter and cryoadhesions, without major complications. After surgical removal of the bronchial foreign body, chest radiography revealed resolution of right lower lobe atelectasis, and no dyspnea or sputum production was observed. Subsequently, the patient's condition improved, and he was discharged from the hospital.

LESSONS: An increase in dental treatments has led to the development of various artificial dental structures. Therefore, rechecking these artificial structures upon intensive care unit admission and extubation may help prevent their aspiration.