Related Experiment Videos
Bronchoscopic extraction of aspirated foreign bodies in children in Harare
1Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Insights
Rigid bronchoscopy effectively removes aspirated foreign bodies in children, proving safe and life-saving. This procedure offers low morbidity, with potential for zero mortality in pediatric foreign body removal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign body aspiration is a common pediatric emergency.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rigid bronchoscopy for diagnosing and treating suspected aspirated foreign bodies in children.
- To assess the complication rates and outcomes associated with the procedure.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 58 children undergoing rigid bronchoscopy for suspected aspirated foreign bodies.
- Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, bronchoscopic findings, and post-procedure complications.
Main Results:
- The median age of patients was 33 months. Physical examination revealed decreased breath sounds and wheezing in 47 cases.
- Chest X-rays were diagnostic or suggestive in 60% of cases. Successful foreign body extraction was achieved in 55 patients (94.8%).
- Complications included post-operative croup (26%), fever (6.9%), and pneumothorax (1.7%). Two children experienced intraoperative hypoxic arrest.
Conclusions:
- Rigid bronchoscopy is a safe and effective procedure for the removal of aspirated foreign bodies in children.
- The procedure is often life-saving with low morbidity, and efforts should focus on achieving zero mortality.
Abstract:
Fifty eight children underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia for suspected aspirated foreign bodies. There were 36 boys and 22 girls with a median age of thirty three months. Physical examination showed decreased breath sounds and wheezing over the affected site in forty seven cases. Chest x-rays were diagnostic in eleven cases showing definite radiopaque shadow and suggestive of aspirated foreign body in thirty five (60%). Three patients had negative results of bronchoscopy (5.2%). Extraction of foreign bodies was performed by forceps under direct vision at bronchoscopy in fifty five patients. Two children had an intraoperative hypoxic arrest. Post endoscopic complications included mild to moderate croup in fifteen patients (26%), fever in four and pneumothorax in one. Rigid bronchoscopy of aspirated foreign bodies in children is a safe, effective and often life saving procedure. Morbidity is low and although mortality was 1.8% in this series zero mortality should be achievable.