An alternative method of management of pediatric airway foreign bodies in the absence of rigid bronchoscopy

Abstract

ObjectivePediatric airway foreign body aspiration is a life-threatening clinical entity. The standard of care for managing this situation is endoscopic retrieval using rigid bronchoscopy. However in resource-limited settings rigid bronchoscopy may not be available. This retrospective case series describes the successful application of one treatment modality for pediatric airway foreign body. MethodsA retrospective review was performed for seven pediatric patients who were treated at Soddo Christian Hospital with a diagnosis of airway foreign body aspiration. All patients were treated in the operating room using general anesthesia, a combination of inhaled halothane and intravenous ketamine. Paralytics were not used in any patient and spontaneous breathing was maintained. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy was initially performed on each patient to confirm the presence of a foreign body and identify the anatomic position with the airway. Using a standard technique, a tracheotomy was performed. If the foreign body was still noted to be distal to the tracheotomy, postural percussion was performed to dislodge the foreign body into the trachea. Once the foreign body was identified at the tracheotomy, it was removed. ResultsAll seven patients presented in respiratory distress and were emergently managed in the operating room. The average age was 2.8 years (6 months–8 years of age). The foreign bodies were successfully removed in all patients. There were no mortalities and all patients were successfully discharged from the hospital. ConclusionsPediatric airway foreign body aspiration is a life-threatening clinical entity in any setting, but it presents unique challenges in resource-limited settings where rigid bronchoscopy is not available. This report presents one such treatment modality and utilizes a combination of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and tracheotomy to treat such patients.