Challenges and Considerations in Managing Subglottic Foreign Bodies
- PMID: 40321383
- PMCID: PMC12043556
- DOI: 10.1007/s12070-025-05484-7
Challenges and Considerations in Managing Subglottic Foreign Bodies
Abstract
Advancements in endoscopy, anaesthesia, radiology, and surgical techniques have reduced paediatric airway foreign body mortality. Despite this, children aged 0-3 years are particularly susceptible to airway obstructions due to immature swallowing coordination and inability to distinguish edible from non-edible items. Foreign body aspiration often presents with coughing, wheezing, and respiratory distress but can be challenging to diagnose without a witnessed event. This case report describes a 16-month-old who aspirated a pork bone, requiring tracheostomy and emergency bronchoscopy. Foreign body was successfully removed from the subglottic region using a paediatric bronchoscope. Subglottic foreign bodies, though rare, pose significant risks. Prompt intervention, proper training, and effective team coordination are crucial for successful management and preventing complications.
Keywords: Airway; Bronchoscopy; Foreign body; Paediatrics; Subglottis; Tracheostomy.
© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2025. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
Conflict of interest statement
Competing InterestThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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