[Extraction of intrabronchial foreign bodies in young patients in a surgical unit]

The authors report a study of 35 cases of intra-bronchial foreign bodies in young subjects (average age 6 years). This shows that, more than the age of the child, or the duration of the presence of the object, its nature, has an influence on the possibilities of extraction by bronchoscopy or by thoracotomy. Whatever the nature of the foreign body, the authors emphasize the importance of the quality of the team formed by the endoscopist and the anaesthetist, repeated attempts at bronchoscopy compromise success and may lead to tracheotomy.