Foreign body in the airway: unusual cause of acute dyspnoe after cardiac surgery

We report on a 68-year-old male who presented with acute onset of dyspnoe and cough. After coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair with an annuloplasty ring, postoperative recovery was initially uneventful. On the 6th postoperative day, he came back to intensive care unit due to acute dyspnoe. Fig. 1 demonstrates chest x-ray. We identified the foreign body as a dental prosthesis (Fig. 2).

Removal from the right bronchial tree was successful using a flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia; intubation was not required. This procedure was safe and well tolerated by the patient.

Clinical presentation of adult foreign body aspiration are often nonspecific. Chest x-ray is very helpful for identification and localization of foreign bodies in the airway. Extraction can be performed with flexible or rigid bronchoscopy. For the removal, biopsy forceps, Fogarty balloon catheter, alligator forceps or wire baskets are effective.