Foreign bodies aspirated in children: role of bronchoscopy

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2007 Jun;55(4):249-52. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-924714.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the diagnostic and therapeutic role of fiber-optic and rigid bronchoscopy in pediatric patients with foreign body inhalations.

Methods: From January 1986 to December 2004, we observed 128 young patients with suspicion of foreign body aspiration. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group I, patients with negative chest X-ray; group II, patients with radiological direct signs; group III, patients with radiological indirect signs.

Results: Removal of the foreign body was effected in 105 patients by rigid bronchoscopy and in 13 patients by fiber-optic bronchoscopy. In 3 group II patients a thoracotomy with a bronchotomy was necessary.

Conclusions: Fiber-optic bronchoscopy showed a diagnostic accuracy rate of 100 % but played a poor therapeutic role with a case resolution of 10.7 %. Rigid bronchoscopy was the main technique, permitting the removal of the tracheobronchial foreign body in 97.2 % of patients.

MeSH terms

  • Bronchi*
  • Bronchoscopes
  • Bronchoscopy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis*
  • Foreign Bodies / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Inhalation
  • Male
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Trachea