Bronchoscopic extraction of aspirated foreign bodies in children in Harare Central Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Fifty eight children underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia for suspected aspirated foreign bodies. There were 36 boys and 22 girls with a mean age of 18 months. Physical examination showed decreased breath sounds and wheezing over the affected site in 47 cases. CXR's were diagnostic in 11 cases showing a definite radio opaque shadow suggestive of aspirated foreign body in 35 (60 pc). Three patients had negative results at bronchoscopy (5.4 pc). Extraction of foreign bodies was performed by forceps under direct vision at bronchoscopy in 55 patients. Two children had an intra-operative hypoxic arrest. Post endoscopic complications included mild to moderate croup in 15 patients, fever in four and pneumothorax in one. Rigid bronchoscopy of aspirated foreign bodies in children is a safe, effective and often life saving procedure. Morbidity is low and although mortality was 1.8 pc in this series zero mortality should be achievable.