Combined application of laryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy in endobronchial foreign body extraction.

Foreign body aspiration is a life-threatening emergency in children. An 11-year-old girl presented at the emergency department with a case of accidental foreign body aspiration. The patient had symptoms of acute respiratory distress followed by cyanosis of the lips. Radiological examination demonstrated a radiopaque foreign body. Under analgesic and amnestic anesthesia, we extracted the metal bead using alligator forceps, with a direct laryngoscope and a flexible bronchoscope. This method afforded an improved visual access to the operative field and allowed for intra-operative manipulation, thus obviating the need for thoracotomy.