Nursing Activities in the Prevention and Treatment of Perioperative Complications After Airway Foreign Body Removal in Pediatric Patients

Purpose1) To evaluate postanesthesia complications after bronchoscopy performed for a suspected foreign body (FB) in the pediatric population and 2) To propose an algorithm of nursing activities for management of this problem.DesignA retrospective descriptive design was used.MethodsA chart review of 155 children who underwent rigid bronchoscopy for FB removal was conducted.FindingComplications occurred in 78% of children: 43% of them experienced desaturation below 90% requiring oxygen therapy. Therapy ranged from oxygen administration via blow-by nasal cannula or face mask (89%) to positive pressure ventilation via bag-mask (23%). Seven percent of the population required intubation and admission to intensive care unit (all were less than 2 years of age).ConclusionsOur results suggest special attention to the children less than 2 years of age as serious respiratory failure may occur after FB removal. The algorithm for nurses was created to manage children after bronchoscopy.