[Diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy in long-term presence of foreign bodies in the bronchi].

Bronchofibroscopy was conducted in 9,254 patients, foreign bodies aspired long ago were found in 12 of them. All foreign bodies were radiolucent. During bronchoscopy foreign bodies were detected on the right side in 7 and on the left side in 5 patients. All were surrounded by an inflammatory swelling and covered with granulations. The foreign bodies had remained in the bronchi for 4 months to 27 years. After removal of the foreign bodies all patients were subjected to therapeutic bronchoscopy until full abatement of the inflammatory process in the bronchi.