Abstract:

Objective      To discuss the clinical features，treatments and prevention of tracheobronchial foreign bodies with subcutaneous emphysema，mediastinal emphysema or pneumothorax in children. Methods       Fifty tracheobronchial patients with subcutaneous emphysema，mediastinal emphysema or pneumothorax were included from January，1984 to December，2008. Age, risk factors, clinical features of operation-related  complications and the treatments were discussed. Results     Forty-eight patients were cured after a 5-7 day treatment. One patient complicated with atelectasis and pleural adhesion and one patient died. Conclusion     The rupture of the alveolar due to pulmonary hypertension is the main factor causing mediastinal emphysema and pneumothorax. Timely and accurate diagnosis is the prerequisites to reduce the mortality rate of tracheobronchial foreign body with complications. Prevention of operationrelated complications is the key to reduce the mortality rate.

Key words: Foreign bodies; Pneumothorax; Subcutaneous emphysema; Mediastinal emphysema;  Children