A clinical analysis of 312 cases of children bronchial foreign bodies

Objective To investigate the diagnosis,treatment and management of perioperative complications in the patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies. Methods Clinical data of 312 cases of bronchial foreign body were analyzed retrospectively. Among them,two pin cases underwent thoracotomy,and 7 cases coughed out the foreign bodies by themselves. Though 8 cases were treated without anesthesia due to critical conditions,the others received rigid bronchoscopy to remove the foreign bodes under general anesthesia. Results In 312 cases,the foreign bodies were located on the left in 123 cases and on the right in 129 cases. The remaining were found in trachea. During the the removal of foreign bodies,26 cases presented asphyxia in the wakening from the anesthesia and recovered well with the pressurized oxygen mask. One patient presented asphyxia in the ward,and was transfered immediately back to the operation room to remove the remnants of foreign body. Except one case of brain edema died eventually,the others were successful discharged. Conclusion The tracheobronchial foreign bodies are usually occurred in boys with the peak age at one year old. Although the foreign bodies are various,peanuts and melon seeds are much common. There are no significance difference between the left and right bronchus. Timely diagnosis,careful operation and close observation are the keys to avoid and reduce the perioperative complications.