Foreign Body Aspiration in Pediatric Airway: A Clinical Study

Immediate removal of foreign body (FB) can minimize the rate of complications. In the present study, we evaluated different types of foreign bodies, presenting clinical features amongst the children and their site of impaction. We also evaluated the anesthetic considerations during ventilation of pediatric airway in such Foreign body aspiration (FBA) patients. A retrospective study, for which prior Institutional Research Committee approval was taken, was conducted in 50 patients admitted in a tertiary care health centre. Relevant history regarding each patient's presenting symptoms or symptoms prior to hospitalization were recorded with special focus on interval between inhalation of foreign body and food intake. Each patient was examined for the nature and site of the foreign body. Appropriate method of ventilation for each case was discussed with the anesthesiologist before hand. Results of both therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy were detailed. Majority of patients with foreign body aspiration (44%) were male children, between 1 and 3 years of age. The clinical features were mainly cough, respiratory distress and wheeze. Organic FB (73.9%) were the most common type of foreign body found. Right bronchus (64%) was the most common site of aspiration followed by left bronchus (24%). Jet ventilation was used in all the children, and duration of the rigid bronchoscopy was less than 15 min in majority of the cases. FBA are still dreaded as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in infants and children that can be prevented by early diagnosis and management.