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Management of tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in children

T M Sisenda1, B O Khwa-Otsyula, J O Wambani

  • 1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Moi University, PO Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya.

Insights

Foreign bodies in the pediatric tracheobronchial tree cause significant morbidity and mortality. In resource-limited settings, thoracotomy can be a life-saving intervention when equipment is inadequate.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree pose a serious health risk to young children.
  • Management strategies vary, especially in resource-limited environments.
  • Understanding outcomes of different interventions is crucial for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review alternative surgical and anesthetic management options for tracheobronchial foreign bodies.
  • To focus on children under 10 years of age.
  • To assess outcomes in a specific healthcare setting.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of secondary data over a five-year period.
  • Data collected from three hospitals in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya.
  • Evaluation of morbidity and mortality rates as primary outcome measures.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-two children were included in the study.
  • Bronchoscopy was performed in 74.1% of cases, while thoracotomy was used in 25.9%.
  • The overall mortality rate was 3.3%.

Conclusions:

  • Tracheobronchial foreign bodies are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 10.
  • Inadequate equipment settings, prompt thoracotomy can be life-saving.
  • This highlights the importance of accessible surgical interventions in diverse healthcare contexts.
Abstract

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