[Endoscopic treatment with laryngeal masks for the removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies].

We studied the endoscopic removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies from 13 patients. Eight patients were treated under local anesthesia and 5 under general anesthesia. Complications included mild bleeding during endoscopic treatment of 3 patients. One patient was placed under general anesthesia because the patient was irritable and because hemorrhage made observation difficult. Laryngeal masks were used in 4 cases, and resulted in no complications. The follow-up courses ranged from 4 months to 12 years and were uneventful for all patients. Use of a fiberoptic bronchoscope in combination with laryngeal masks facilitated the management and removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies by providing a secure airway and by minimizing the effect on the cardiorespiratory system.