From rigid to flexible bronchoscopy: a tertiary center experience in removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children

Inbal Golan-Tripto, Dina Weinstein Mezan, Sergey Tsaregorodtsev, Liran Stiler-Timor, Yotam Dizitzer, Aviv Goldbart, Micha Aviram

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    17 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Rigid bronchoscopy is the procedure of choice for removal of inhaled foreign bodies. In this retrospective study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of flexible bronchoscopy use in the removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children. One hundred eighty-two patients (median age of 24 months, 58% males) underwent an interventional bronchoscopy for the removal of inhaled foreign body between 2009 and 2019, 40 (22%) by flexible, and 142 (78%) by rigid bronchoscopy. 88.73% of rigid and 95% of flexible bronchoscopies were successful in foreign bodies removal (p value = 0.24). Complication rate was higher among rigid bronchoscopy (9.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.047). From 2017 onwards, following the implementation of flexible bronchoscopy for foreign bodies removal, 64 procedures were performed, 33 (51.6%) flexible, and 31 (48.4%) rigid. Procedure length was shorter via flexible bronchoscopy (42 vs 58 min, p = 0.016). Length of hospital stay was similar. Conclusion: In our hands, flexible bronchoscopy is an efficient and safe method for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children, with shorter procedure time and minimal complication rate. Flexible bronchoscopy could be considered as the procedure of choice for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children, by an experienced multidisciplinary team.What is Known:• Rigid bronchoscopy is currently the gold standard for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children.• Rigid bronchoscopy has a relatively high complication rate compared to flexible bronchoscopy.What is New:• Flexible bronchoscopy is a short, safe, and efficient procedure to remove inhaled foreign bodies in children, compared to rigid bronchoscopy.• Flexible bronchoscopy could be proposed as the procedure of choice for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children, if an experienced operator is available.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1443-1450
    Number of pages8
    JournalEuropean Journal of Pediatrics
    Volume180
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 May 2021

    Keywords

    • Children
    • Flexible bronchoscopy
    • Inhaled foreign body
    • Rigid bronchoscopy

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'From rigid to flexible bronchoscopy: a tertiary center experience in removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this