What is this disease?

• Foreign body aspiration and foreign body ingestion are common accidents in childhood . 80% of pediatric foreign body aspirations occur in children 0-3 years, with the peak incidence between 1-3 years of age. Most of accidents happen at home , however, parents do not witness up to 40% of these. The majority of aspirated objects are organic in nature, mainly food. Peanuts are the cause most commonly identified while plastic toys and button battery are becoming common.

How it is diagnosed?

• It is diagnosed by History, clinical examination followed by X-ray chest and neck. Sometimes CECT or flexible bronchoscopy may be needed to confirm diagnosis.

How it is treated?

• Urgent Rigid Bronchoscopy in Operation theatre is needed to remove the foreign body in

When it should be operated?

• In Unstable child with foreign body in trachea and completely blocking airway, foreign  can be pushed to one of the bronchus by intubation and then urgent bronchoscopy is needed. Otherwise, in children with unilateral obstruction of airway, foreign body  should be removed as soon as possible in OT.

Are there other alternative methods of treatment?

• Bronchoscopy is the needed in all children with foreign body.

What all I need to know before my child surgery?

• Read “All you need to know before your child's surgery” information booklet in website.

How is the surgery done?

• Bronchoscopy involves passing a rigid tube(bronchoscope) of appropriate size through mouth into trachea and removal of  foreign body through specially made graspers under anaesthesia and telescopic vision.

Remarks

• For more details of surgery, contact your surgeon

Related Photographs and videos

• Few photographs of steps done by me and video is given here for learning purposes