Foreign body aspiration is a potentially life-threatening condition. It has a bimodal distribution, with two higher-incidence age groups clearly described: children and persons aged >75 years. The clinical presentation may be acute (dyspnoea, asphyxia, cardiac arrest, etc.) or chronic (recurrent pneumonia, atelectasis, chronic cough, etc.). Thus, a high index of suspicion is necessary. When foreign body aspiration is suspected, a multidisciplinary team should evaluate the patient and remove the foreign body as rapidly as possible. The traditional procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration are interventional methods such as rigid bronchoscopy. However, flexible bronchoscopy is a satisfactory option, particularly in centres without access to rigid bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopists may use different extraction tools such as cryoprobes, baskets, snares and forceps.