A Statistical Review of Clinical Cases with Tracheo-Bronchial Foreign Bodies over 16 Years

A statistical study was made of 69 cases of tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies treated at our clinic during the 16 years from 1978 to 1994. Fifty-five cases (80%) were under 3 years of age and 38 cases (55%) were one-year-old babies. The foreign bodies were found in the right bronchus in 24 patients, in the left bronchus in 32 patients, and in the trachea in 6 patients. Of the various kinds of foreign bodies removed, peanuts predominated (34 cases, 49.3%). The foreign bodies were removed by means of a ventilation bronchoscope under general anesthesia. Most of the cases were treated within a few days successfully. However, the longest period of lodgement was 87 days.