RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characters of bronchial foreign bodies in children and the utilization of bronchoscope in the treatment of bronchial foreign bodies. METHODS: A total of 246 children were diagnosed with bronchial foreign bodies at our hospital during January 2000 until August 2009. Under local mucosal anesthesia, a bronchoscope was inserted through nasal cavity into bronchi. After identifying the site of foreign body, grasping forceps was guided through bronchoscope to remove the foreign body from airway. RESULTS: Among 246 cases, hard nut and skin of melon seed were found (n = 230, 93.5%). The most common site of foreign body was in right lower lobe bronchi (n = 98, 38.9%). The average operative frequency was 1.9 +/- 1.3 and one-time extraction ratio 58.5% (n = 144). The one-time extraction ratio of patients with foreign body obstructed in main bronchi (91.1%), right middle lobe (60.0%) and right lower lobe (55.1%) was higher than others. The operation frequency of using basket grasping forceps (1.4 +/- 0.9) was lower than those using tooth type forceps (2.1 +/- 1.4). And the difference was significant (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: For bronchial foreign body in pediatric patients, hard nut and skin of melon seed are the most common foreign bodies. The right and left lower lobe bronchi are the predilection site. Foreign body in main bronchus is the easiest to be removed by grasping forceps. For massive foreign bodies, basket grasping forceps fares better than tooth grasping forceps.