Iatrogenic Foreign Bodies in Air Passage

So far, iatrogenic foreign bodies were somewhat hesitated to report in medical journals. Recently, following cases of iatrogenic foreign bodies in air passage were seen in our clinic; adenoid mass, a piece of a fractured metal stylet, an injection needle, tooth, a damaged electric bulb for bronchoscopic illumination and a cotton ball. These foreign bodies seem to be unpredictable to occur. Intense precaution during surgery by physicians involved in upper air way (otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, dentists, chest surgeons etc) and constant inspection of medical instruments by operation room staffs could avoid these unhappy accidents.