2017 Volume 39 Issue 3 Pages 231-236
Background. Recent reports on lodged bronchial foreign bodies suggest that the proportion of such cases has increased among the elderly. Although flexible bronchoscopy is the first choice for such patients, removal using a flexible bronchoscope is difficult in some cases. Subjects and Methods. We reviewed nine cases of lodged bronchial foreign body at our hospital between April 2010 and October 2015 and studied the patient age, type, site, and method of removal. Results. The patients (1 child and 8 adults; 6 male, and 3 female patients) ranged in age from 3 to 96 years, with a median age of 74 years. When performing flexible bronchoscopy, all patients were sedated by the intravenous administration of midazolam. The foreign body was removed using a flexible bronchoscope in six cases, and there were no complications. A rigid bronchoscope was needed in two cases: owing to granulation in one case and difficulty with oxygenation in the pediatric patient. Conclusion. Lodging of a bronchial foreign body is a critical condition in adults and both the proper method of sedation and the appropriate treatment method must be chosen on a case by case basis.
