Complications of tracheobronchial foreign bodies

Abstract

Background/aim: Tracheobronchial foreign bodies may cause several complications in the respiratory system. We aimed to present the complications of tracheobronchial foreign bodies.

Materials and methods: Between January 1990 and March 2015, 813 patients with suspected tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration were hospitalized in our department. Patients with complications related to foreign bodies in airways were included in this study. We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients according to symptoms, foreign body type, localizations, and complications.

Results: A foreign body was found in 701 of 813 patients (86.2%). Complications related to foreign bodies settled in airways were seen in 96 patients (13.7%). The most common complications were atelectasis and pneumonia in 36 (5.1%) and 26 (3.7%) patients, respectively. Other complications were bronchiectasis (n = 12, 1.7%), cardiopulmonary arrest (n = 11, 1.6%), bronchostenosis (n = 3, 0.4%), death (n = 2, 0.3%), migration of foreign body (n = 2, 0.3%), pneumomediastinum (n = 2, 0.3%), tracheal perforation (n = 1, 0.15%), pneumothorax (n = 1, 0.15%), and hemoptysis (n = 1, 0.15%). Coughing (n = 74, 77.1%) and diminished respiratory sounds (59.3%, n = 57) were the most common findings.

Conclusion: Careful evaluation and rapid intervention are life-saving methods in tracheobronchial foreign body aspirations.

Keywords: Atelectasis; foreign body; pneumonia.