Abstract: Objevtive    To improve the diagnosis and treatment by analyzing the clinical characteristics of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children. Methods    180 cases of tracheobronchial foreign bodies, from January 2008 to September 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Results    Foreign matter were plant in 173 cases, metal in 2 cases, plastic in 2 cases, and unclassified in 3 cases. The foreign bodies were successfully removed through the Hopkin bronchoscope in 176 patients under surface anesthesia and through the incision of tracheotomy in the other 4 patients. Second surgery to remove the foreign body were performed in 15 cases. No post-operative complications occured. No foreign body was found in X-ray examination 3 days later after  the operation. Conclusion    History of foreign body, clinical symptoms，and peri-operative X-ray examination  are keys to diagnose foreign bodies in trachea. The surface anesthesia is a simple and effective way for the  operation, however, intubation should be done in a timely manner for severe cases.

Key words: Diagnosis, Children, Tracheobronchial foreign bodies, Tracheotomy, Surface anesthesia