Endobronchial dental prosthesis retrieval by a snare technique using a flexible bronchoscope and fluoroscopy: Two case reports and technical tips.
We describe two cases in each of which a dental prosthesis, presenting as an endobronchial foreign body (FB), was successfully retrieved using a snare technique employing a flexible bronchoscope and fluoroscopy that enabled us to avoid the need for rigid bronchoscope and thoracotomy. In one case, the FB was peripherally lodged and bronchoscopically invisible. In the other case, the FB was observed in the right intermediate bronchus, but the grasping basket and forceps were unable to retrieve it. The combination of a flexible bronchoscope and fluoroscopy extended the application of the snare technique to bronchoscopically invisible FBs and facilitated placement of an encircling loop around the FB. Since dental prostheses are rigid and irregular in shape, the snare loop technique can be used. For patients in a stable condition with a dental prosthesis FB, using the snare technique with a flexible bronchoscope and fluoroscopy is a good option. We provide technical tips based on our experiences.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hitachi General Hospital, Hitachi, Japan.
Hideo
H
Ichimura
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Michihiro
M
Maeda
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Shinji
S
Kikuchi
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Yuichiro
Y
Ozawa
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Koji
K
Kanemoto
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Koichi
K
Kurishima
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Hiroaki
H
Iijima
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Hiroichi
H
Ishikawa
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Yukio
Y
Sato
Dental prosthesis; Endobronchial foreign body; Flexible bronchoscope; Fluoroscopy; Snare technique