Unusual complication of reusable suction catheter during rigid bronchoscopy

Abstract

The risk of leaving an iatrogenic foreign body in the bronchus, while using a reusable flexible suction catheter tube during rigid bronchoscopy is reported. A 6-year-old girl underwent rigid bronchoscopy to rule out foreign body inhalation as the possible cause of her unilateral pneumonia and lung collapse. While performing the bronchoscopy the distal end of the plastic suction tube was caught in the ventilation hole of the bronchoscope and was sheared from the main suction tube. This was later recovered from the right main bronchus while clearing the thick secretions. This potential complication occurs with use of reusable plastic suction catheters.