Abstract:

Objective    To study the clinical characteristics and perioperative management for aged patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies. Method    A retrospective analysis was performed on 9 aged patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies. The clinical characteristics and perioperative management in these cases were summarized. Result    First doctor′s office visit in pulmonary medicine were found in 4 of 9 patients and 3 cases were transferred to the ENT department after being diagnosed by  fiberoptic bronchoscopy.In 7 cases,  foreign bobies were removed with  transoral bronchoscopy under topical anesthesia and balanced anesthesia. In the other 2 cases, the foreign bodies were removed with bronchoscopy through the  tracheostoma under topical anesthesia. No complication occurred. Conclusion    For the elderly, if  pulmonary infection is persistent or refractory to antibiotic treatment, tracheobronchial foreign bodies should be suspected. CT scan contributed to the diagnosis and bronchoscopy is the main therapy.

Key words: Tracheobronchial foreign body; Old age; Bronchoscopy