Tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in children

ABSTRACT

A study of 70 cases of tracheo bronchial foreign bodies is presented which were successfully managed in the department of general surgery, children hospital Islamabad. The period is March 1988 to October 1990. 59% were male children, 74% were below 5 years of age 60% belonged to low socic-economic group. There were variety of materials but betel nut and pea nut constituted the major bulk of foreign bodies. 67% patients came to the hospital on the first day of inhalation. In 60% cases the foreign body was found in the right main bronchus. 7% patients were initially treated in the medical unit with the diagnosis of bronchopneumonia. All the foreign bodies were removed by bronchoscope