Bronchoscopy for foreign body removal in children: anaesthetic challenges in a tertiary health Centre.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the practice of therapeutic Paediatrics bronchoscopy in our environment; to review the anaesthetic practice in our centre, and compare them with universally accepted standards.
Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of cases of foreign body aspiration in children treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria, between 2002 and 2008. Foreign body aspiration was diagnosed clinically and radiologically. Data concerning demography, clinical characteristics, anaesthetics and complications were obtained from the hospital records.
Result: A total of 45 patients were studied. They were between the ages of 6 months and 11 years, 29 males and 16 females. A total of 64 procedures were carried out, of which 38 (59.4%) were bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy was done with Stortz ventilating bronchoscope under general anaesthesia. Repeated doses of suxamethonium were used as muscle relaxant in 92.1% of cases.
Conclussion: Rigid bronchoscopy for aspirated foreign body is a safe, effective and often life saving procedure in the hands of experienced anaesthetist and bronchoscopist. A close rapour between the two teams is necessary for a desired outcome.

Key words: Foreign body aspiration, Bronchoscopy, Anaesthesia.