Fogarty catheter extraction of foreign bodies from tracheobronchial trees of small children.

The inhalation of a foreign body into the tracheobronchial tree tree presents a life-threatening situation. A satisfactory outcome requires the timely and atraumatic removal of the offending agent. The morbidity associated with present methods of dealing with this problem is well documented. Four cases are described to illustrate the efficacy and simplicity of a new technique of endoscopic extraction with the aid of a Fogarty embolectomy catheter. The actual technique and anesthetic management are described.