Foreign Body Aspiration in Children and Emergency Rigid Bronchoscopy: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Foreign body aspiration is potentially life-threatening in paediatric age group. Early recognition and emergency intervention by Rigid bronchoscopy is life-saving. To highlight various difficulties in emergency paediatric bronchoscopy and discuss our experience in 138 patients. < 12 years children with suspected foreign body aspiration were included. Data of 138 patients < 12 years of age were studied. The most common foreign body found was peanut and organic foreign bodies constituted of total foreign bodies removed. Choking, Cough and sudden onset breathlessness were common symptoms. Tachypnoea, asymmetric breath sound, rhonchi, stridor, reduced chest movements were common signs. Obstructive emphysema was commonest radiological findings. Majority of the patients were discharged within 72 h & only two patients expired. History, clinical and radiological findings are highly indicative of foreign body in the airway. Inspite of being a high risk procedure, Rigid bronchoscopy when performed with necessary expertise,trained anaesthesia team and a paediatric ICU, saves majority of lives of children with tracheobronchial foreign bodies.