[Diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies of the trachea and bronchi]

The article presents results of examination and treatment of patients with foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree. It was noted that clinical manifestations were not leading in diagnosis of aspirated foreign bodies. The X-ray diagnosis is also not sufficiently effective, especially in cases with organic foreign bodies. Fiber bronchoscopy was used in 45 patients for diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies from the tracheobronchial tree. Practical recommendations are given on the method of removal of the foreign bodies depending on the shape, size and kind of the foreign body. The authors consider that the main criterion for fulfilling diagnostic fiber bronchoscopy in cases of suspected foreign body is information from the patient of probable aspiration of a foreign body. High efficiency of both diagnostic and curative fiber bronchoscopy for foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree is noted.