FOREIGN BODIES IN THE NOSE, THROAT, OESOPHAGUS, TRACHEA AND BRONCHI IN CHILDREN

*Lechosław P. Chmielik

Summary
The GP or paediatrician often has to deal with foreign bodies in the nose, throat, oesophagus, trachea and bronchi in children. Foreign bodies can be lacerating, swelling, biologically aggressive or of button type. Such batteries are no longer hermetic after a few hours, and their caustic contents cause necrosis in the surrounding tissues. If the battery gets stuck in the oesophagus the result can be life-threatening mediastinitis or even bleeding from the closely-located aorta or pulmonary arteries. Removal of foreign bodies in children from the nose, ear, respiratory tract and oesophagus is described. A foreign body located in the lower respiratory tract may endanger a child´s life by possible asphyxiation. Therefore, prevention is of particular importance. This means that the child must be protected from taking into its mouth objects whose shape and size may cause the danger of aspiration into the lower respiratory tract. Special attention should be paid to toys whose small elements can easily separate from the whole and pose the above-mentioned threat. Typical anamnesis in the case of aspiration of a foreign body into the lower respiratory tract is a paroxysmal cough connected with cyanosis of the patient.
A flexible bronchoscope must not be used to remove foreign bodies from the lower respiratory tract. Such an attempt may easily end up in asphyxiation of the patient. The only instrument to be used is a rigid bronchoscope.

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