AIRWAY FOREIGN BODIES

A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To study the pattern of
laryngotracheal foreign bodies in South of Iran and to compare it with other studies.. Design: A retrospective chart
review of patients who had airway foreign body. Period : From 1991 to 2000. Setting: Department of Otolaryngology
Khalili Hospital,Shiraz,Iran. Material & Methods: Patient characteristics including age,sex, laryngobronchoscopic
findings,clinical presentations and history of foreign body aspiration were recorded .Type and site of foreign body
aspirated was also recorded to determine the common type and site of foreign body enlodgement in this country.
Results: From 1012 patients with airway foreign bodies,683 patients were male and 329 patients were
female.Aspiration most commonly occurred in the 1-6 year age group.The most common presenting symptom was
cough,dyspnea and chocking.The most common site of foreign body enlodgement was right bronchus and the most
common foreign bodies in our area were various types of seeds. Conclusion: Education of physicians and public
awareness are important steps needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality of foreign body aspiration.Parents should
be instructed to abstain from feeding nuts and seeds to young children and to keep small,potentially ingestible objects
out of their reach.