Life-Threatening Airway Obstruction Rescued by an Innovative Technique Using Fogarty Balloon Catheter and Endotracheal Tube: An Experience

Upper and lower airway obstructions caused by foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract are common presentations in emergency departments. In most cases, diagnosis and management are guided by clinical evaluation and radiological findings. We present a rare case of a male patient with a history of falling into a rice silo, who presented with respiratory failure. He was successfully managed using a novel technique involving the use of a Fogarty balloon catheter and a pediatric endotracheal tube for foreign body extraction during flexible bronchoscopy. The successful management of this patient highlights the effectiveness of innovative, minimally invasive techniques in complex airway foreign body cases and expands the potential applications of flexible bronchoscopy in emergency airway management.