Journal of pediatric surgery
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On rare occasions, endoscopic extraction of airway foreign bodies is not feasible or may be associated with large risk for the patient; in those situations, open surgery is indicated. The authors report a case of an 8-year-old boy presenting with an airway foreign body that was too large to be extracted through the subglottic region. After several attempts, extraction was accomplished through a tracheotomy with bronchoscopic control. ⋯ Since the tracheal suture was firm and without air leaks, a tracheostomy cannula was not placed. The tracheal tube was removed after 3 days. Follow-up 1 month after the procedure showed that all respiratory symptoms had disappeared.