A Tertiary Care Centre Experience on the Management of Paediatric Tracheobronchial Foreign Body During the COVID 19 Pandemic

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a life threatening emergency most commonly seen among paediatric age group that requires immediate therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this study is to report our experience on management of these aspirated foreign body (FB) with rigid bronchoscopy during the COVID 19 pandemic. This is a retrospective study which included 100 children less than 17 years of age, diagnosed with suspected FBA and underwent rigid bronchoscopy for its removal between March 2020 and March 2021. Guardians of all female children with history of FBA, had to go through medicolegal enquiry considering the possibility of female infanticide. Analysis of data was made of the demographic details, characteristics and location of the aspirated FB, treatment modalities and difficulties encountered. Among the 100 patients included in the study, 67% were under 3 years of age. The male to female ratio was 2.23:1. 69% of the FB's were most frequently found in the right main bronchus. 63 cases of the removed FB were organic materials such as nuts. Tracheobronchial FB's should be suspected in children who have sudden onset of cough and respiratory distress, even when physical and radiographic evidence is absent. Mortality due to FBA is preventable by early intervention with bronchoscopy. During the Covid 19 pandemic before performing any emergency procedure, prior preoperative planning and use of personal protective equipment is important, considering the very high risk of transmission of the virus due to aerosol generation.