title: Rigid bronchoscopy and balloon dilation for removal of aspirated thumbtacks: case series and literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aspirated thumbtacks can pose unique challenges during removal due to their shape. In particular, the flanges of the thumbtack can readily become trapped by the bronchial mucosa during extrication. We describe our experience of three children from whom aspirated thumbtacks were removed using rigid bronchoscopy following balloon dilation of the airway to reduce bronchial mucosa entrapment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of three pediatric otolaryngology cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all three cases, the thumbtack was successfully removed from various sites within the lower respiratory tract. There were no iatrogenic complications, in particular bronchial wall injury leading to pneumothorax.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cases of complicated airway foreign bodies, such as thumbtacks, airway dilation is a useful and safe maneuver that may help facilitate removal.
authors.affiliation: Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Christina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Section of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: warren.yunker@albertahealthservices.ca.
authors.forename: Warren K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yunker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001980:Bronchi; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Balloon dilation; Foreign body aspiration; Rigid bronchoscopy; Thumbtack