Perhaps a future Einstein died needlessly

A one year old child, who swallowed a large bottle cap which obstructed his airway, died ten minutes after I unsuccessfully attempted to remove the cap. Because of his obstructed breathing, intubation of the trachea was attempted without paralyzing the child. Several attempts of inserting the endotracheal tube on this swallowing child were unsuccessful. The larynx may have been displaced anteriorly from the large cap lodged posterior to the larynx at the entrance of the esophagus. The esophageal entrance was hemorrhagic and edematous, but the foreign body could not be seen. The child had an apneic spell and the procedure was terminated. His oxygen saturation was 95% when moved from the operating room. Ten minutes later, he had a cardiopulmonary arrest and could not be resuscitated. Regretfully I did not accompany the child from the operating room and he was being observed by students. After being told of the death of his son and crying, the father thanked me for my efforts. These poor people are kind and give me encouragement to continue caring for them. This child should not have died. We have saved other obstructed airway patients. It would be easy to give up, but I am the only one here and the need is great. God willing, I will do better next time.