Flexible Bronchoscopic Removal of Foreign Bodies from Airway of Children: Single Center Experience Over 12 Years

ABSTRACT

Objective: To report our experience of tracheobronchial foreign body removal in childrenusing flexible bronchoscopy as the primary mode. Methods: Hospital records oftracheobronchial foreign body extractions between January, 2006 and January, 2018 werereviewed. Clinical presentations, radiological findings, location and types of tracheobronchialforeign bodies, types of bronchoscopes, complications and outcome of the procedures wereanalyzed. Results: 283 extractions in children with median (range) age of 18 (5-168) monthswere reviewed. Extraction by flexible bronchoscope, using wire baskets or grasping forceps,was successful in 260 cases. No major complications were encountered. Mean (SD) time forthe procedure was 31 (6.3) minutes. Conclusions: Airway foreign bodies can safely beremoved by flexible bronchoscopy with minimal complications. This procedure can beconsidered the primary mode for removal of airway foreign bodies by a trained andexperienced person