Preoperative Rehearsal in the Removal of an Airway Foreign Body in a Preterm Septic Neonate.

Abstract

We report a case of a septic, 21 day old, former 26-week neonate who had clinical and x-ray concern for an airway foreign body. 3D CT remodeling was used to identify the foreign body as the tip of a suction catheter. Preoperative planning to confirm optimal bronchoscopic instrumentation was done, and the foreign body was successfully removed in a single attempt. This case highlights the importance of preoperative radiographic evaluation and instrument rehearsal in high-risk airway foreign body cases.