Use of a Tracheal Tube, Flexible Bronchoscope, and a Supraglottic Airway to Remove Foreign Bodies: A Case Report

When removing an airway foreign body using a flexible bronchoscope through a supraglottic airway device, the foreign body must be passed through the glottis. However, passing the foreign body through the glottis may be difficult because of a relatively narrow glottic opening. We report 2 cases in which a tracheal tube was used to assist bronchoscopic removal of the foreign body when passage through the glottis was difficult. Both foreign bodies were successfully removed without complications. Our method prevented the foreign bodies from being dropped or crushed and was useful as an adjunct to bronchoscopic removal with supraglottic airway devices.