Spontaneous versus controlled ventilation technique for airway foreign body removal via rigid bronchoscope in children

Background Foreign body aspiration is one of the primary causes of death in infants, and rigid bronchoscopy is the only way to remove it. The challenge is whether to use spontaneous or controlled ventilation (CV) during foreign body removal to minimize its complications. Objective To compare spontaneous and CV techniques for rigid bronchoscopic airway foreign body removal in children. Patient and methods This study included 50 pediatric patients aged 1–4 years old, American Society of Anesthesiologists IE or IIE, clinically diagnosed as airway foreign body aspiration. This study was carried out in Alexandria Main University Hospital. Results There was an insignificant difference in hemodynamic measurements all over the period of follow-up, while CV showed a significantly lower operative time, less frequency of interruption of procedure, and low incidence of hypoxia. Conclusion Controlled breathing is a safe approach in the management of foreign body aspiration in children and could be accepted as an alternative to traditional spontaneous ventilation.