A safe and cost-effective method of removal of obstructed pharyngeal foreign body in the accident and emergency department

Foreign body obstruction at the level of the cricopharynx is not an uncommon presentation in the accident and emergency department. If this is visualised with a fibro-optic endoscope, it can be safely removed in the emergency department with the help of short acting inhalational anaesthesitic agents such as sevoflurane. This method is safe and effective and also saves valuable operating theatre resources.