FOREIGN BODY ASPIRATION: A FOUR-YEARS EXPERIENCE *

Background: Foreign bodies (FB) in the airway require prompt removal in children. We reviewed our experience in patients with suspected airway FB.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 189 consecutive children who admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, SSK Tepecik Training Hospital between 1997-2001. Patients data on presentation, bronchoscopy findings and results were obtained. Of the 189 bronchoscopies, 127 (67.2%) showed FB which are commonly located in the right mainstem bronchus. Most of FB were nonradiopaque.
Pips and hazelnuts were the most common FB. Mean hospital stay was 2.5 days. Many
patients (151 out of 189; 79.9%) had transient stridor or fever that ceased within 24 hours after bronchoscopy. No mortality was observed rin relation with bronchoscopy.
Conclusion: Chest radiographs of the children with FB in the airways are inconclusive. Children with a history of small particles in their mouths and subsequently showing wheezing, or choking episode should undergo prompt bronchoscopy. Complications related to bronchoscopy are uncommon.