Abstract Management of bronchial foreign bodies presents significant challenges to anesthesiologists due to the shared airway and the risk of severe respiratory complications. Organic foreign bodies are particularly hazardous, as they may swell, fragment, or provoke intense inflammatory reactions. Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare but serious complication of bronchial foreign body aspiration. Delayed presentation and an unclear clinical history further complicate diagnosis and management. Even after successful foreign body removal, vigilant postoperative monitoring is essential due to the risk of residual airway compromise and other complications. We report a rare and complex case in which a 1.5-year-old child with an organic bronchial foreign body presented with subcutaneous emphysema and suffered cardiac arrest. Successful resuscitation and removal of the foreign body were achieved using a ventilating flexible bronchoscope by a skilled pediatric pulmonologist in collaboration with a trained anesthesiologist. This case underscores the importance of timely recognition, appropriate bronchoscopic technique, and a multidisciplinary approach in managing life-threatening pediatric airway emergencies.
Lakshmipathy et al. (Thu,) studied this question.