A 2-year-old is brought to the emergency with sudden onset choking, stridor, and decreased air entry on the right side after playing with peanuts. Which bronchoscope technique is preferred for retrieval of a right bronchus foreign body in a child?

• A Flexible bronchoscopy with optical forceps under general anesthesia
• B Rigid ventilating bronchoscopy under general anesthesia ✓
• C Flexible bronchoscopy under sedation with CPAP support
• D CT-guided virtual bronchoscopy followed by selective bronchial lavage

Explanation

Rigid ventilating bronchoscopy under general anesthesia is the gold standard for foreign body removal in children because it provides a patent airway, allows ventilation throughout the procedure, offers better visualization, and allows deployment of larger retrieval forceps than flexible scopes. Flexible bronchoscopy may be used for diagnosis but lacks the control and retrieval capability needed for solid food foreign bodies like peanuts. Sedation-only techniques carry risk of laryngospasm and loss of airway.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.