Removal of an unexpected tracheal foreign body after five months.

Foreign body aspiration can produce serious pulmonary diseases. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment is important to prevent long-term complications in affected children. We report the case of a 15-month-old child with a 5-month history of regurgitation, vomiting, recurrent tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia. The diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux. The laryngotracheal endoscopy revealed a rabbit vertebra partially obstructing the airway at the level of the cricoid cartilage. With a rigid bronchoscope and forceps equipped with a telescope, it was possible to disengage and extract the foreign body. Six months later endoscopic control revealed no residual alterations in the larynx and trachea.