Bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies in children: retrospective analysis of 822 cases

At the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Hacettepe University, a total number of 822 pediatric bronchoscopies were performed from 1984 through 1990 for suspected foreign body aspiration. Of the children 65.3% were boys and 34.7% were girls ranging in age from one month to 14 years. Definitive statement of foreign-body aspiration was obtained from 394 patients. Unilateral hyperaeration, atelectasis, and unilateral parenchymal infiltration were the most common radiological findings. In all endoscopic procedures, a pediatric rigid bronchoscope was used under general anesthesia and controlled ventilation. Foreign bodies were found in 77.7% of the 822 patients. In the rest of the children inflammatory disorders were confirmed. The foreign bodies most commonly found in 639 patients were sun-flower seeds (21.1%), beans (10.4%), water-melon seeds (10%), and hazelnuts (9.8%). In our presented series, the incidence of non-fatal complication was 1.8%, apart from these patients 5 of them (0.6%) died after the bronchoscopic procedures.