[Acute foreign body aspiration as a respiratory emergency in childhood]

From 1957 to 1987 altogether 206 cases of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration were diagnosed. Two third of the patients were one or two years old. Boys prevailed with 57 per cent. 55 per cent of all foreign bodies were nuts. Only 10 per cent were radiopaque (screws, nails, needles or pieces of bones). The attempt to eliminate the foreign body via the bronchoscope was successful in 96 per cent and failed in seven cases. Six children had to undergo a thoracotomy. In one third of the cases the foreign body remained two weeks or longer in the bronchial tree. 66 children with such a "chronic" foreign body were later on examined by bronchography, which showed in 29 per cent severe deformations of the bronchial wall and in 14 per cent even bronchiectasis. An acute foreign body aspiration should always be considered and handled as an emergency.