• Keith Couper, Abu HassanAyshaAWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK., Vrinda Ohri, Emma Patterson, Ho Tsun Tang, Robert Bingham, Theresa Olasveengen, Gavin D Perkins, and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Basic and Paediatric Life Support Task Force Collaborators.
• Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Critical Care Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
• Resuscitation. 2020 Nov 1; 156: 174-181.

ObjectiveTo summarise in a systematic review the effectiveness of interventions to treat foreign body airway obstructions (FBAO).MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library from inception on 30th September 2019 for studies that described the effectiveness of interventions to treat FBAO in adults and children. We included randomised controlled trials, observational studies and case series (≥5 cases) that described evidence of benefit. For evidence of harm/complications, we included case reports. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted study data, and assessed risk of bias. Data are summarised in a narrative synthesis. The GRADE system is used to assess evidence certainty.ResultsWe included 69 publications, comprising three cross-sectional studies (557 patients); eight case series (755 patients), and 59 were case reports (64 patients). One paper was included as a case series and cross-sectional study. For all interventions and associated outcomes, evidence certainty was very low. Early removal of FBAO by bystanders was associated with improved neurological survival (odds ratio 6.0, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 23.4). Identified evidence showed that key interventions (back blows, abdominal thrusts, chest thrusts/compressions, Magill forceps, manual removal of obstructions from the mouth, suction-based airway clearance devices) are effective in relieving FBAO. We identified reports of harm in relation to back blows, abdominal thrusts, chest thrusts/compressions, and blind finger sweeps.ConclusionsKey interventions successfully relieve FBAO, but may be associated with important harms. Guidelines for FBAO management should balance the benefits and harms of interventions.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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