Experience in Managing Children with Foreign Bodies in the Respiratory Tract

Difficulties in diagnostics, serious complications and the possibility of developing chronic damage to the bronchopulmonary system when foreign bodies are aspirated into the respiratory tract make the problem of foreign bodies in the respiratory tract extremely relevant. To study the diagnostic features and clinical course of foreign body aspiration in children. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of hospital records (form No. 003/U) was performed in 245 children. A total of 145 children aged 4 months to 6 years with aspiration of foreign bodies into the respiratory tract were prospectively examined. Classical research methods were used (collection of life and disease history data, objective examination, assessment of the results of physical and laboratory-instrumental studies). The quality and timeliness of medical and diagnostic care for children with foreign bodies in the respiratory tract depends on the availability of endoscopy specialists and a specialized healthcare organization. The frequency of foreign body localization depended on the diameter of the respiratory tract. In 35.2% (n=51) of children, foreign bodies were found in the right main bronchus, in 16.6% (n=24) - in the left main bronchus, in 17.2% (n=25) - in both bronchi. In 93 children, after 3 months from the removal of foreign bodies from the respiratory tract, complications were noted in 82.8% (n=77).