Rigid Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Aspiration Diagnosis and Treatment in Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration is a frequent pediatric emergency.
• Timely diagnosis and intervention are critical to prevent severe complications.
• Rigid bronchoscopy is a primary method for airway foreign body removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration in children.
• To analyze patient demographics, symptoms, and bronchoscopic findings.
• To identify common foreign body types and locations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 66 children undergoing rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration.
• Data collected included patient age, sex, presenting complaints, and bronchoscopy results.
• Analysis of foreign body presence, location, and type.

Main Results:

• Children under 3 years old constituted 74.24% of cases; males were predominantly affected.
• No foreign body was identified in 36.36% of procedures.
• Foreign bodies were most commonly found in the right main bronchus (57.14%).
• Organic materials, primarily nuts, accounted for 80.95% of extracted foreign bodies.

Conclusions:

• Rigid bronchoscopy is an effective diagnostic and therapeutic tool for pediatric foreign body aspiration.
• Early recognition and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential for optimal patient outcomes.
• Awareness of common foreign body types and locations aids in diagnosis and management.