Lower respiratory tract foreign bodies: a retrospective review of morbidity, mortality and first aid management.
OBJECTIVES: The authors describe 28 pediatric cases of foreign body inhalation requiring treatment in intensive care units between 1987 and 1999. The purpose of this study was: (1) to analyze the circumstances, diagnostic difficulties and initial treatment of serious foreign bodies and (2) to compare our series with other literature descriptions and define principles for optimal prevention and initial treatment. METHODS: Twenty-one children presented a penetration syndrome, which was responsible in 13 cases for asphyxia with cardiorespiratory arrest. All these children died, regardless of the initial treatment. Seven children were hospitalized for apparent asthmatic symptoms that did not respond to traditional treatment. RESULTS: The inefficiency of external extraction methods like the Heimlich maneuver and the mean delay between clinical signs and initial treatment lead us to propose a new strategy for the emergency treatment of foreign bodies with asphyxia. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that emergency teams promote the use of a laryngoscope and Magill forceps. Flexible endoscopy is still recommended as the appropriate diagnostic tool to eliminate doubt in the case of a first severe asthma attack.