Bronchoscopic management of airway foreign bodies in adults: a narrative educational review

Consider AFB in adults with unexplained chronic respiratory symptoms. CT guides but does not replace bronchoscopy. An individualized strategy-flexible scope first (in patients with stable status), rigid scope reserved for selected complex cases-combined with object-tailored tools optimizes successful AFB retrieval while minimizing morbidity. Maintaining both rigid and flexible systems, trained multidisciplinary teams, and strict manometric monitoring are essential components of AFB retrieval.