The treatment of retained peripheral foreign bodies in the pediatric airway.

Aspiration of foreign bodies into the pediatric airway is a common surgical emergency condition. Once impacted into the peripheral airway, repeated attempts at removal may push these objects into segmental bronchi, causing endobronchial bleeding, and prolonged anesthesia time. In addition to standard endoscopic techniques, the use of fluoroscopy, endobronchial contrast material, topical vasoactive medications, and diverse retrieval instruments in eight such cases has avoided the need for either bronchotomy or segmental pulmonary resection. By using such supportive intraoperative techniques, the morbidity and mortality from impacted airway foreign bodies can be greatly reduced.