Research Information System
14 th ANNUAL MEETİNG of the ESPES, Strasbourg, France, 18 - 20 September 2024, pp.257-258
Purpose: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a life-threatening incident. Rigid bronchoscopy(RB) is the gold standard procedure. Even in children with no foreign bodies; not totally secure airway, risk of dislocation of foreign body, severe bronchospasm and bleeding are some notable risks. Flexible bronchoscopy(FB) via laryngeal mask which has started to be used recently for FBA doesn't irritate airway such as rigid one. The diagnosis may be made easily in case of witnessed history. But in case of not, children may develop non-specific symptoms. The aim is to discuss the efficacy of FB in cases of low-suspicion FBA. Patients and Methods: The charts of children who underwent RB due to suspected foreign body aspiration between 2022-2023 and FB/RB between 2023-2024 were evaluated. Children without witnessed aspiration or unilateral auscultation findings were assessed to be at low risk of FBA and children with these signs as at high risk. Both groups had been undergone RB before 2023. Children at low risk underwent FB after 2023. It was converted to rigid if a foreign body was observed. RB was introduced at first step if the child was at high risk. Observed foreign body rates and complications were compared. Results: There were 160 children. Before 2023, 106 children underwent RB. In 50 of children(42%) there were no foreign bodies. After 2023 FB was performed in 29 children who were at low risk and no foreign bodies in 23(80%). 25 children at high risk underwent RB and foreign bodies were found in 20(80%). Conclusion: FB may be used in children with low risk of FBA. It may offer a minimal invasive alternative to RB in diagnostic challenges as a final diagnostic tool. Increased rate of positive foreign body in RB after the introduction of FB shows providing unnecessary RBs.