RIGID BRONCHOSCOPY

Objectives: To evaluate foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree and effectiveness of the therapeutic use of rigid bronchoscopy in a tertiary care setting. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and duration of study. This study was carried out at Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 2006 to June 2010. Patients and methods: This descriptive study was designed to evaluate the foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree & effectiveness of the use of rigid bronchoscopy in a tertiary care setting. Sixty two patients underwent initial evaluation by ENT consultants and senior registrars followed by management with rigid bronchoscopy. Results: The most commonly affected age group was under 4 years. Male to female ratio was 3:1. Right main bronchus was affected in 51.61% cases. Most of the foreign bodies removed were organic in nature in 90.32% cases. The success rate for removal with rigid bronchoscopy was achieved in 98.39% cases, with fewer complications and no mortality Conclusions: It may be concluded from this study that early diagnosis & management is essential to prevent morbidity & mortality associated with foreign bodies. Rigid bronchoscopy is the most effective procedure for the removal of foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree.