The efficacy and safety of airway foreign body removal by balloon catheter via flexible bronchoscope in children – A retrospective analysis

ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy and safety of the airway foreign body removal by balloon catheter via flexible bronchoscope in children.MethodsRetrospective analysis was performed of 26 cases of airway foreign body removal in children by balloon catheter via flexible bronchoscope in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between December 2006 and December 2014.ResultsThere were 14 males and 12 females, aging between 1 and 12 years (median age: 25 months). The clinical course ranged from 0.5 h to 60 days (median: 3 days). The foreign bodies consisted of peanuts (16 cases), soybeans (3 cases), pumpkin seeds (3 cases), porcine bone (1 case), olive nut (1 case), and a plant-based object (1 case). All foreign bodies were successfully removed. The operation duration ranged from 3 to 15 (5.3 ± 2.9) min. No complication was observed such as hemorrhage, pneumothorax, or airway laceration.ConclusionsBalloon catheter via flexible bronchoscope is a safe, effective, and easily performed method of removing airway non-sharp foreign bodies in children.