A study revealing the challenges and management of airway foreign bodies in pediatric patients

Introduction Airway foreign bodies are prevalent in our part of the country. It remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality especially in children under 3 years. Time since inhalation, site of lodgement, size of the foreign body is responsible for a wide variety of symptoms. These factors are also prognostic indicators in a patient with foreign body inhalation.

Aim To assess the morbidity and mortality in patients with foreign body inhalation with respect to time since inhalation, site of lodgement, size of foreign body.

Methods and methodology Cross-sectional study on patients with aerodigestive foreign bodies who visited our hospital from July 2015 to september 2019.

Results Overall mortality in our series was 6.1 % of which 42.8 % was in those who presented within 1-6 hours and 40 % in those who presented after 1 month. The duration of hospital stay was more than 7 days in 60 % of patients who presented after 1 month. Mortality is increased with FB lodged in subglottis or trachea accounting for 60 % of the overall mortality.

Conclusion Time since inhalation, site of lodgement, and size of foreign body significantly affects the outcome in patients with foreign body inhalation.

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020