Foreign body removal

Moslehi, Mohammad Ashkan (2020): Foreign Body Retrieval by Using Flexible Cryoprobe in Children. Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology.
 

This retrospective study evaluated the extraction of aspirated foreign bodies in children, using flexible bronchoscopy and a cryoprobe (reusable, 1.9mm). 50 children ranging in age from 7 months to 15 years underwent cryoextraction under mild general anesthesia. The most common location of foreign bodies was the right main bronchus, followed by the trachea, left main bronchus and subglottis. The most common aspirated foreign bodies were nuts, followed by raw vegetables, fruit particles, seeds, and grain seeds. All patients tolerated the procedure well with no major complications. The authors concluded that “Using cryoextraction can be a reliable and preferred method with minimal complications for extracting airway foreign bodies among children, especially those that have a friable texture.”

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David, Abel P et al (2019): Cryoprobe retrieval of an airway foreign body: A case report and literature review. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 125, pp. 79–81.

This case reports on a 7-year-old boy with clinical and radiographic evidence of foreign body aspiration (push pin) with a two-week delay in diagnosis. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to remove the push pin using traditional flexible forceps through the main channel of a bronchoscope without. Although a firm grasp on the metal pin was initially achieved, it could not dislodge the object, which was firmly embedded in the bronchial wall with circumferential granulation. A cryoprobe (reusable, 1.9mm) was then forwarded through a flexible bronchoscope with suspension laryngoscopy and spontaneous ventilation. Activation of the cryoprobe for roughly 5 seconds, while in contact with the protruding metal portion of the push pin, caused the pin to freeze onto the tip of the probe and enabled successful removal of the foreign body. The authors concluded that “The cryoprobe and flexible bronchoscope through suspension laryngoscopy should be added to any airway surgeon's armamentarium for airway foreign body removal.”

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