Bronchoscopy for aspirated foreign bodies in children. Experience in 131 cases.
One hundred thirty-one children underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia for suspected aspirated foreign bodies. There were 79 boys and 52 girls, with a mean age of 2.1 years. Physical examination showed decreased breath sounds (n = 130) and wheezing (n = 119) over the affected site. Chest roentgenograms were diagnostic or suggestive of aspirated foreign bodies in 127 cases (97%). Radiopaque lesions were noted on roentgenograms in ten cases. Four infants had a preoperative hypoxic arrest. Two patients had negative results of bronchoscopy (1.5%). Extraction of the aspirated foreign body was carried out at laryngoscopy in two patients and by forceps under direct vision at bronchoscopy in 97 patients. A Fogarty catheter was used in 12 cases. Postendoscopic complications included fever (n = 27), pulmonary infiltrate (n = 11), ventilatory support (n = 4), and pneumothorax (n = 2). Rigid bronchoscopy for aspirated foreign body in children is a safe, effective, and sometimes life-saving procedure. Morbidity is low and mortality is zero.
Vane
D W
DW
Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46223.
Pritchard
J
J
Colville
C W
CW
West
K W
KW
Eigen
H
H
Grosfeld
J L
JL
D001980:Bronchi; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001239:Inhalation; D007830:Larynx; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration; D012137:Respiratory System; D014132:Trachea