All issues > Volume 31(12); 1988

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1988;31(12):1619-1625. Published online December 31, 1988.

Foreign Body on the Airway in Infants and Children.

I J Cho¹, H S Lee¹, T W Paik¹, C M Kang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Taegu, Korea

Received: June 14, 1988;  Accepted: June 14, 1988.

Abstract

Inhalation of foreign bodies occur accidentally, and is encountered more frequently in children than in adults. Foreign body in the tracheobronchial tree is serious, and in some instances, can be fatal. Therefore, if occured, proper emergent measurement combined with elaborate removal procedure as soon as possible is essential. A 8 and 1/2 years experience with the treatment of 25 children of foreign body aspiration in pediatric department of Dong-san Hospital during the period from Januarry 1978 to June 1986 was reviewed. The result were as follows; 1) Out of 25,18 cases (72.0%) were between the age of 1 and 5 years, and the male to female ratio was 7.3:1. 2) Duration between aspiration or onset of the symptom and diagnosis was less than 3 days in 13 cases (52.0%). 3) 9 cases (36.0%) had no recognizable history of foreign body aspiration, 4) The most common symptom of bronchial foreign bodies were cough and fever, whereas those of laryngotracheal foreign bodies were respiratory difficulties with severe chest retractions and cyanotic attacks. 5) The prevalent complications were pulmonary emphysema, atelectasis, and pneumonia in order, and pneumonia was observed more frequently in the cases with vegetables. 6) 5 cases (20.0%) showed no changes in chest roentogenograms. 7) 48.0% of the foregeign body was removed from right main bronchus. 8) Vegetables, specifically peanuts were the most common aspirated foreign body, and occupied 48.0% of the cases. 9) 2 cases (8.0) were fatal.

Keywords :Foreign Body, Airway