We present the unexpected finding of an unusual upper airway foreign body during induction of anaesthesia in a six year old girl. We review the aetiology and management of upper airway foreign bodies, discussing the role of the anaesthetic practitioner in extracting such items, and remind the reader of the potential hazard of task-fixation during tracheal intubation.
FidowskiC.W., ZhengH., FirthP.G.2010The anesthetic considerations of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children: a literature review of 12,979 casesAnesthesia & Analgesia1111016–25
2.
GuptaK., GuptaP.K.2010Laryngoscopic removal of unusual metallic foreign body of the subglottic region of the larynxAnesthesia Essays & Researches4106–08
3.
JonesN.S., LanniganF.J., SalamaN.Y.1991Foreign bodies in the throat: a prospective study of 388 casesJournal of Laryngology & Otology105104–08
4.
PawarD.2007Dislodgement of bronchial foreign body during retrieval in childrenPaediatric Anaesthesia17948–55
SmithS.A., ConersG.P.1998Unexpected second foreign bodies in pediatric esophageal coin ingestionsPediatric Emergency Care14261–62
7.
SoodanA., PawarD., SubramaniumR.2004Anesthesia for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in childrenPaediatric Anaesthesia14947–52
8.
SwansonK.L., PrakashU.B.S., MidthunD.E.2003Flexible bronchoscopic management of airway foreign bodies in childrenChest1211695–1700
9.
WilkinsonG.1914Foreign body (a piece of bookbinding wire) removed under direct laryngoscopy, after having been impacted in the larynx four monthsProceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine7(Laryngol Sect) 83–85
