[Removal of foreign bodies from the upper airways and the bronchial tree of small children].

Food remnants are the foreign bodies most frequently aspirated by young children. Larger foreign objects are nearly always rejected spontaneously. In many cases, however, aspiration of foreign bodies lead to death by suffocation. From March 1975 to August 1979, 27 endoscopies removing 22 foreign bodies have been carried out by us. All children were less than 7 years old. The foreign bodies most commonly found were peanuts. Endoscopy was not only carried out when diagnosis was clear, but also if there was suspicion of foreign body aspiration. It is nowadays a treatment without risk when the following conditions are met: 1. Careful medical preparation leading to bronchial dilatation. 2. Effective collaboration with a paediatric anaesthetist. 3. Exact knowledge of the bronchial tree of children.