[Clinical analysis on 1050 cases with tracheobronchial foreign body]

To investigate the clinical pathological features of tracheobronchial foreign bodies and to improve the diagnosis and treatment.

A retrospective study was conducted on 1050 cases with suspected tracheobronchial foreign bodies. Each patient was analyzed for age, sex, history, complication and location of the foreign body. Nine hundred and forty-nine out of 1050 cases were diagnosed as tracheobronchial foreign body, in which 13 patients coughed out the foreign bodies before operation and the rest 936 cases were given operation by bronchoscope under general anesthesia.

Among the 949 cases, 936 cases were given operation, with successful removal of foreign bodies in 932 cases (99.6%). One patient suffered from complication (0.1%).

For the diagnosis of tracheobronchial foreign bodies, it is very important to collect the detailed history of foreign body inhalation, physical examination and chest roentgenoscopy. Spiral CT with 3-D reconstruction of trachea and bronchus is performed in patients with suspected foreign bodies. Complete surface anesthesia of respiratory tract mucosa is the key procedure in the removal of foreign bodies from respiratory tract by bronchoscope.