Endobronchial foreign body extraction: a new interventional approach.

Endobronchial foreign bodies are often difficult to diagnose as the cause of obstructive pneumonias and atelectasis, but once discovered, they can generally be removed, leading to immediate and dramatic resolution of symptoms. The use of flexible fiberoptic and rigid bronchoscopy to extract foreign bodies is well-known. Thoracotomy is generally reserved as a last resort due to the inherent risks of the procedure. We describe a new technique for foreign body removal utilizing steerable hydrophilic guidewires, standard sheaths, and a snare device commonly utilized in intravascular foreign body retrieval.