FOREIGN BODIES OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT IN CHILDREN. RESULTS OF ENDOSCOPIC EXAMINATION IN CHILDREN OF THE REGIONAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Abstract

The purpose of the study to describe the localization, nature and endoscopic picture of foreign bodies of the respiratory tract among children of diff erent age groups. The medical histories and protocols of bronchoscopy of 46 patients (children 7 months — 14 years) were studied. The endoscopy department of the regional children’s hospital of Saint Petersburg. Endoscopic examination was carried out with Pentax EB-1570K and Pentax EB-1170K videobronchoscopes; the extraction of foreign bodies was carried out using a Storz rigid bronchoscope. Out of 46 examined children with foreign bodies of the respiratory tract, 33 children were aged from 7 months to 3 years (71.7%), 8 children aged from 4 to 6 years (17.4%) and 5 children from 7 to 14 years (10.9%). Foreign bodies were most often food particles — in 47.8% of patients (apple, carrot, fi sh bone, nuts), small beads, toys or their fragments — 37.5% of patients, sharp objects (needles, pins, metal brackets) — 14.7% of patients. Foreign bodies of the respiratory tract can be found anywhere — nasal passages, larynx, trachea, bronchi, in the tissue of the lung itself. Foreign bodies were most often located in the right main bronchus in 17% of patients. Foreign bodies in the left main bronchus — 12.8% of cases; in the left lower lobe bronchus — 6.4%; in the right lower lobe bronchus — 4.3%. In 34% of the examined patients, foreign bodies were not visualized, which is due to their spontaneous evacuation. Conclusion. Foreign bodies of the respiratory tract are most often found in children under the age of 3 years. The most frequent localization is the right bronchus. A third of patients have complications in the form of tracheobronchitis.