Removal of endobronchial foreign body by fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

A relatively large foreign body (ham bone) was seen in the left upper lobe bronchus of a 25-year-old woman and was successfully extracted with the use of a standard fiberoptic bronchoscope. Although the removal of foreign bodies by the fiberoptic bronchoscope has serious technical limitations, the use of this instrument should be considered when the foreign body is not within range of the rigid bronchoscope.