Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in 1368 cases

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of tracheobronchial foreign bodies and effective methods for them so as to decrease complications and mortality.Methods The clinical data of 1 368 cases were retrospectively analyzed.Of them 1 334 cases had the foreign bodies taken out by bronchoscopy under general anesthesia,20 cases by bronchoscopy without anesthesia,6 by tracheotomy and 8 by thoracotomy.Results 1 365 cases had the foreign bodies taken out,and 1 345 cases were successfully operated on one time and 6 cases two times.After the operations,25 cases had edema of the larynx and 2 died of asphyxia.Conclusion Total intravenous anesthesia combined with surface anesthesia of the respiratory tract mucosa is the ideal anesthesia method for taking out foreign bodies in the respiratory tract by bronchoscopy.In some cases,tracheotomy and thoracotomy are needed.