Foreign body aspiration during esophagogastroduodenoscopy with band ligation

Acute foreign body aspiration can occur in the setting of oropharyngeal procedures, especially if conscious sedation is used. We report a case of a patient undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy with band ligation complicated by aspiration of the handle and ligator located at the tip of the endoscope. Despite the large size of the foreign body, the patient was asymptomatic. The endobronchial object was visualized on a computed tomography scan of the chest. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed using rat-tooth grasping forceps with successful removal of the object. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of foreign body aspiration during endoscopic band ligation and should serve to heighten awareness of aspiration during oropharyngeal procedures under conscious sedation.