Foreign body aspiration: a review of current strategies for management

The management of foreign body aspiration requires careful planning and a good understanding of the physical properties of frequently aspirated objects as well as the array of tools available for securing them. Additionally, patient-specific factors must be taken into consideration during procedure planning, including patient age, respiratory status, the location of aspirated items and underlying patient comorbidities. The sequelae of foreign body aspiration are closely related to both the nature of the foreign body itself as well as their position in the tracheobronchial tree and chronicity after aspiration; these secondary effects frequently warrant specific therapeutic intervention. Rigid and flexible bronchoscopy are the main therapeutic approaches, with specific bronchoscopic tools suited to different clinical scenarios. Procedure planning also requires thoughtful consideration of the safest approach to anesthesia, balancing patient comfort and procedural success. Foreign body aspiration is a relatively infrequent event in adults but requires experience and careful planning to manage successfully.