Abstract
Objective: To determine the type, clinical feature and management of inhaled foreign body in children.
Methodology: This descriptive study was done at the department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from Feb 2016 to Feb 2017. A total of 70 cases were successfully treated by endoscopy. Rigid endoscopy as done in 98.6% and direct laryngoscopy in 1.4% for foreign body removal. Frequency of presenting complaints that was dyspnea, cyanosis, choking, coughing, wheezing, tachypnea; different types of foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree and X-ray Chest findings like the object, hyperinflation, emphysema, bronchiectasis or atelectasis were analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.
Results: Out of 70 patients, 72.85% were male and 27.15% were female with age range from 8 months to 12 years. The most common symptom was cough in 68.65%, chocking in 62.9% and dyspnea in 41.4% patients. Peanuts were the most common object in 42.85% followed by whistle, as a whole or part in 30%, pins and needles in 12.85%, plastic pellets in 11.4% and miscellaneous objects in 2.85%.
Conclusion: Bronchoscopy is the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic modality due to short comings of history, physical examination and radiology. Early diagnosis and immediate removal are essential.yy