Unsuspected foreign bodies of the aerodigestive tract.

The well-known tendency for children to place loose objects in their months not infrequently leads to the entrapment of foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract. With prompt and adequate removal few complications occur. However, when the foreign body goes undetected or is neglected the patient may develop dysphagia, pneumonia, failure to thrive, lung or mediastinal abscesses, bronchopulmonary or bronchoesophageal fistulas, or erosion of major vessels. Fifteen cases of retained foreign bodies were identified in a chart review between 1971 and 1977 at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, calling attention to the problems of aerodigestive foreign bodies of prolonged duration. Early and late complications are discussed and early diagnosis and endoscopic removal emphasized.