Bronchoscopy for aspirated foreign bodies in children. Experience in 131 cases
D. W. Vane, J. Pritchard, C. W. Colville, K. W. West, H. Eigen and J. L. Grosfeld
Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46223.
One hundred thirty-one children underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general
anesthesia for suspected aspirated foreign bodies. There were 79 boys and
52 girls, with a mean age of 2.1 years. Physical examination showed
decreased breath sounds (n = 130) and wheezing (n = 119) over the affected
site. Chest roentgenograms were diagnostic or suggestive of aspirated
foreign bodies in 127 cases (97%). Radiopaque lesions were noted on
roentgenograms in ten cases. Four infants had a preoperative hypoxic
arrest. Two patients had negative results of bronchoscopy (1.5%).
Extraction of the aspirated foreign body was carried out at laryngoscopy in
two patients and by forceps under direct vision at bronchoscopy in 97
patients. A Fogarty catheter was used in 12 cases. Postendoscopic
complications included fever (n = 27), pulmonary infiltrate (n = 11),
ventilatory support (n = 4), and pneumothorax (n = 2). Rigid bronchoscopy
for aspirated foreign body in children is a safe, effective, and sometimes
life-saving procedure. Morbidity is low and mortality is zero.