[Foreign bodies in the lower respiratory tract: experience based on materials gathered in the ENT department of the Poznań Higher School of Medical Sciences between 1945 and 1997].

258 foreign bodies were removed from the lower respiratory tract in ENT Department of Poznań High School of Medical Sciences between 1945 and 1997. The age ranged from 0 to 85 years, but the most numerous group (68%) was found between 0 and 10 years. 86.5% patients were admitted to hospital during first three days after inserting the foreign body. The longest time of foreign body existence inside the bronchus was a period of 18 years. The most often met foreign bodies were: bones, bean seeds, fruit stones, pieces of food, iron nails. Spontaneous evacuation of the foreign body took place in 4% of cases. 98% of foreign bodies were removed by means of rigid bronchoscopy. Bronchofiberoscopy was performed for diagnostic purposes or for taking out foreign bodies located in the peripheral parts of the bronchial tree. 3% of patients were referred to the further toracosurgery treatment.