Text Box: MANAGEMENT FOR AIRWAY FOREIGN BODY IN IRREGULAR SHAPE IN CHILDREN ZHANG Yamei, ZHANG Zhenying Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, China Objective: to explore proper operative methods for removal of foreign bodies in irregular shapes. Methods: 48 emergency cases of airway foreign bodies in irregular shapes (plastic ball - pen cap, mini-toys, whistle, pin, thumbtack, milk tooth, pen, steel ball, stone of apricot, chicken bone and screw nail) from Dec. 1998 to Nov. 2000 have been reviewed, especially the operative procedure of removing foreign bodies. The youngest was 9 month old and eldest 14 year-old. Storz tracheoscopy was applied. Results: 46/48 foreign bodies in irregular shapes were removed by trachea scope. Thumbtack removed by tracheotomy in 1 patient; one stone of apricot removed through thoracic surgical operation. Conclusion: An accurate pre-operative diagnosis is the most important in operative management of cases of foreign bodies in irregular shapes. Usually choosing general anesthesia, Any complications must be managed very carefully and antibiotics administered. If the foreign body is too big to pass through glottis, removing by tracheotomy should be considered. After the foreign body removed from trachea, bronchial irrigation can be applied to promote the recovery of pulmonary function. 1113