Tracheotomy for a foreign body in the larynx.

INTRODUCTION

In the normal population, inadvertently swallowed foreign objects enter the gastrointestinal tract more frequently than the tracheobronchial tree. There is a typical patient population that is at higher risk for aspiration.

DISCUSSION

Sequelae may range from relatively benign partial obstruction to the immediately life-threatening total airway obstruction. Foreign objects lodged in the upper aspect of the trachea may be retrieved with simple instrumentation.

CONCLUSION

Some cases may complicate and may require direct access through a tracheotomy, as the case shown in this paper.