Management of laryngeal foreign bodies in children

Foreign body aspiration is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Food items are the most common items aspirated in infants and to ddlers, whereas older children are more likely to aspirate non-food items. Laryngeal impaction of a foreign body is very rare as most aspirated foreig n bodies pass through the laryngeal inlet and get lodged fewer down in the airway. Two rare cases of foreign body aspiration with subglottic impaction in very young children (under 2 years of age) are described. In both the c ases subglottic impaction occurred consequent to attempted removal of forei gn body by blind finger sweeping. The clinical presentation, investigations , and management of these rare cases are discussed.