Bronchoscopy and Foreign Body Removal in Children – Can We Change the Outcome?

Background: Diagnosis of Foreign body aspiration is often delayed due to lack of awareness. Objective: This study was done to nd out the incidence and sequel of delayed diagnosis in the patients referred to a tertiary care center. Study Design: Participants: The data of patients presenting with foreign body bronchus over a period of 12 years were reviewed. All children who underwent foreign body removal at our centre from 2010 to 2022. Rigid bronchoscope and foreign body Intervention: removal was done in all cases. Successful removal could be accomplished in all cases. We had a total of 109 patients. Time Outcome: Results: taken to report to the hospital after aspiration ranged from 1 to 365 days with a mean of 15 and median of 3 days. Mean age was 2.4 years. Sixty-two had foreign body of the right side, 40 on the left side, 2 on both sides, 3 at Carina and 2 in trachea. Groundnut was the most common foreign body with 61 children having them. Twenty-four children underwent CT chest for conrmation of diagnosis. One child required a second bronchoscopy after 24 hours for complete removal of the foreign body. One child had erosion and perforation of the bronchus. We did not have any death in the series. Conclusions: Awareness about foreign body aspiration has to be increased among the general public and primary care physician to facilitate an early referral. Foreign body can be effectively and safely managed with rigid bronchoscope and optical forceps.