Abstract
Background: Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is mainly used to diagnose foreign body aspiration. Its use in a removal purpose is still controversial.
Our study aimed to report our experience in airway foreign bodies (AFB) extraction via flexible bronchoscopy.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included medical records of children diagnosed with AFB in the pediatric department of Abderrahman Mami Hospital, between January 2014 and December 2019.
Results: A total of 64 children were included (62%). The mean age was 29 months [9-108]. Clinical context was suggestive of foreign body inhalation in 46 infants (71%). AFB were found in the right bronchial tree on 36 occasions, in the left on 28 and beyond the upper bronchus in 36 children. AFB were inorganic in 13 cases (including 2 scarf pins).The flexible bronchoscopy was performed through the laryngeal mask airway in 44 infants and after intubation in the other cases. Removal was successful in 59 children (92%). Rigid bronchoscopy was required in 2 cases and surgery in 1 case. Two infants expectorated the AFB after the procedure. There were no complications except laryngeal edema with transient oxygen desaturation in two children (3%).
Conclusion: When done by an experienced team, flexible bronchoscopy allows an efficient and safe interventional management of airway foreign body.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 1201.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020