The Bristol Children's Hospital experience of tracheobronchial foreign bodies 1977-87.

In the 11 years 1977 to 1987, 36 confirmed cases of tracheobronchial foreign body were seen in the Bristol Children's Hospital. The distribution of ages, sites, and natures of the objects inhaled are similar to those in other reviews. Complications of removal of the foreign body once diagnosed were few, and have been absent since the Storz rod lens system was introduced in 1982. Eleven patients experienced delay of at least 7 days between the beginning of the symptoms and diagnosis, of whom 3 subsequently required open thoracotomy. Six of these had sought medical advice during this period, of whom 4 had a positive history of choking or inhalation. Inhaled foreign bodies remain a source of diagnostic difficulty, although this should be improved by greater attention to history and appropriate investigation. Technical advances have ensured their safe bronchoscopic removal in most cases.