Bronchial foreign body. Experience of the last 18 years in Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente, Concepcion, Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Airway Foreign bodies (AFB) remain a clinical challenge, generate a spectrum of presentations, from minimal symptoms to respiratory distress, respiratory failure and even death. Aim: To describe and analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with suspected AFB. Material and methods: A retrospective and descriptive study of patients diagno- sed with AFB admitted to our Emergency Service between 1997 and 2015. Different variables were analyzed, especially their symptoms, signs, radiologic findings, compli- cations, treatment and outcomes. Results: 117 rigid bronchoscopies associated with suspected AFB were found. The diagnosis was confirmed in 94 cases (80.4%). Most of them were children between 1-3 years. There was more than one consultation before the diagnosis in 29.85. Most of the patients reported penetration syndrome, but this made no difference on diagnosis. 80.9% of the confirmed cases had some radiological alteration (excluding radiopaque bodies) (p <0.05). Most of the cases were found in the right bronchial tree and were of a varied nature. They were extracted in the first attempt without incidents in 91.5% of the cases. There were no reported complications regarding extractions. Conclusions: A foreign body in the respiratory tract is a surgical emergency, and may even be fatal. A high index of suspicion is essential to avoid complications.