Diagnosis and treatment of tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in 686 children

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment,and proper time for surgery for foreign bodies in the airway of children. Methods The clinical data of 686 children with tracheobronchial foreign bodies were retrospectively summarized. The foreign bodies in the airway were removed with a rigid tracheoscope,fiberbronchoscope or thoracotomy. Clinical outcomes were observed. Results Vegetative foreign bodies were found in 658 cases (95.9%),while plastic foreign bodies in 7 and metal foreign bodies in 6 cases. The foreign bodies were removed in 660 patients with rigid tracheoscopy. 5 Fiberbronchoscopy and 1 thoracotomy were performed due to the foreign bodies residing in the basal segment of lowed lobe. In one case,the foreign body was coughed out. Conclusion Tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies is a common disease in early childhood. The progress is rapid and the surgery is risky. Quick,accurate removal of the foreign body and intensive post-operative surveillance is required.