PATTERNS OF FOREIGN BODY IN THE AERO-DIGESTIVE TRACT OF THE PEDIATIC PATIENTS IN TIKUR ANBESSA HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Aspiration of foreign materials into the airway is one of the causes of choking and death in children before they obtain medical assistance. Lodging of foreign bodies in the constricted part of the esophagus is also another cause of morbidity in
children.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe patterns of foreign body accidents
and treatment outcomes in the hospital. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of admissions of foreign bodies in the
aero digestive tract was done over four years from May 2001 up to April 2005. Data was collected from patient records.
The record of each patient was examined for the following information; age, sex, address, nature and site of foreign body, history of ingestion/aspiration, circumstance of the accident, presenting signs and symptoms interval between accident and hospital
admission, radiological evaluation at admission, type of treatment, duration of hospital stay and final out come.

Results :There were 71(65.1%) boys and 38(34.9%) girls with foreign body aspiration or foreign body ingestion. There was definitive history of foreign body aspiration or ingestion in 101(92.6%) of children. Of 38 cases of foreign body aspiration 19(50%)
circumstance of the accident was while feeding whereas among 71 cases of foreign body ingestion 43(60.6%) circumstances of the accident was while playing with the object. The commonest radiological finding is infiltration/consolidation in the case of foreign body aspiration whereas all cases of foreign body ingestion showed radio –opaque foreign body in the esophagus.

Conclusions :There was no failure and death during surgical procedures in the study period unlike the previous study which showed high failure and death rate. This marked difference appears to be because of improvement in the management of foreign body aspiration.