Episodes of recurrent pneumonia in the same lung field should prompt evaluation for a possible foreign body in the airway.Whether or not the foreign body is removed, complications such as chemical bronchitis, mucosal reactions, and the development of granulation tissue are possible.Complications can also arise from interventions used to remove a foreign body from the airway. Rigid bronchoscopy is the gold standard for removal of a foreign body, however this intervention does have potential risks. The most common complication from rigid bronchoscopy is damage to the patients teeth. Other less common complications include cuts to the mouth or esophagus, perforation of the bronchial tree, damage to the vocal cords, pneumothorax, atelectasis, stricture, and perforation. Prevention

There are many factors to consider when determining how to decrease the likelihood of aspiration, especially in the extremely young and elderly populations.The major considerations in children are their developmental level in terms of swallowing and protecting their airway via mechanisms such as coughing and the gag reflex. Also, certain object characteristics such as size, shape, and material can increase their potential to cause choking among children. When there are multiple children in a shared environment, toys and foods that are acceptable for older children often pose a choking risk to the younger children. Education for parents and caretakers should continue to be prioritized when possible. This can be through positions such as pediatricians, dentists, and school teachers as well as media advertisements and printed materials.
In these cases, glucocorticoids, aerosolized epinephrine, or helium oxygen therapy may be considered as part of the management plan.Patients who are clinically stable with no need for supplemental oxygen after extraction may be discharged from the hospital the same day as the procedure. Routine imaging such as a follow-up chest x-ray are not needed unless symptoms persist or worsen, or if the patient had imaging abnormalities previously to verify return to normal. Most children are discharged within 24 hours of the procedure. Complications
Many complications can develop if a foreign body remains in the airway. There are also complications that may occur after removal of the object depending on the timeline of events. Cardiac arrest and death are possible complications if a sudden complete obstruction occurs and immediate medical care is not performed. The most common complication from a foreign body aspiration is a pulmonary infection, such as pneumonia or a lung abscess. This can be more difficult to overcome in the elderly population and lead to even further complications. Patients may develop inflammation of the airway walls from a foreign body remaining in the airway. Airway secretions can be retained behind the obstruction which creates an ideal environment for subsequent bacterial overgrowth. Hyperinflation of the airway distal to the obstruction can also occur if the foreign body is not removed.