Rigid Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Aspiration Diagnosis and Treatment in Children

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration in children is a common condition and can bring about serious undesired results. Fast and accurate diagnosis and foreign body extraction from airways are essential. We performed a retrospective study on rigid bronchoscopy outcomes due to suspected foreign body aspiration. A total of 66 children were admitted to the Chair and Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Medical University of Lublin between 2015 and 2020 and underwent rigid bronchoscopy in general anesthesia due to suspected foreign body aspiration. We analyzed the data, including patients age and sex, reported complaints, and bronchoscopy findings. Analyzed children were aged from 8 months to 17 years old; 74.24% of them were under 3 years old during the procedure, and most of the operated patients were males. In 36.36% cases, no foreign body was identified, and 57.14% foreign bodies were located in right main bronchus. A total of 80.95% of foreign bodies extracted from airways were organic, mostly nuts. Diagnosis and treatment of suspected foreign body aspiration requires consistent cooperation between pediatricians, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and otolaryngologists.

Evaluation of Ventilation Methods and Cardiorespiratory Outcomes in Children with Foreign Body Aspiration Undergoing Rigid Bronchoscopy Within 2008 - 2019

“…The mean age of the subjects was 2.06 ± 1.25 years. In other studies, the majority of the patients with foreign body aspiration were male (1,3,7,14,16). Therefore, de Blic and Leon Cortes stated that 80% of the patients with foreign body aspiration were 9-month to 3-year-old male cases (19).…”

“…Pulmonary aspiration refers to the accidental entry of any type of fluid, secretions (e.g., saliva and sputum), gastrointestinal contents, or foreign bodies into the respiratory tract. The foreign body aspiration into the respiratory tract is an otolaryngology emergency case worldwide (1)(2)(3). The mortality rate caused by pulmonary bodies in the United States is estimated to be 500 -2000 individuals per year (4,5).…”

Foreign bodies of the lower respiratory tract in children

“…According to recent studies, foreign body localization predominates in the right main bronchus in 30-60%, followed by the left main bronchus in 25-60%, in both bronchi in 0-5% and in the trachea in 1.5-34% [4]. The location of foreign bodies in the right bronchus is determined by its anatomical characteristics.…”