Management of Tracheo-Bronchial Foreign Bodies in Children: Our Experience

(1) To study the epidemiological profile of the patients. (2) To study the various modalities of investigations to arrive at confirmatory diagnosis. (3) To study the post-operative complications. It was a hospital based prospective study. A total of 36 paediatric patients were included in the study over a duration of 2 years (August 2017 to July 2019). Written informed consent was taken from the parent of each patient before performing bronchoscopy. All the patients were subjected to careful clinical examination and investigations required followed by emergency bronchoscopic removal of foreign body. The patients were followed up at 1 and 3 months after bronchoscopic removal. Amongst the 36 cases, 12 cases presented with airway emergency which addressed by bronchoscopic removal immediately. 10 cases presented with suggestive history of foreign body aspiration were subjected to clinical and radiological studies followed by bronchoscopic removal. 14 cases were referred from paediatric in-patient department who were being treated for unresolved LRTI. Early intervention is life saving if timely done. Unresolved LRTIs should be looked carefully to address missed foreign bodies. HRCT Thorax with 3-D reconstruction (Virtual Bronchoscopy) helps in exact localization of the foreign body. Experienced team of surgeons and anesthetist along with a ICU support is needed for efficient management.