WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

Jamshid Shamsiyev, Azamat Shamsiev, Jasur Ruziev, Jasur Unabaev, Shazad Jumanov

Samarkand State Medical University Pediatric Surgery Hospital

Purpose:

To analyze the causes and complications associated with aspiration of foreign bodies (FBs) in the respiratory tract in children.

Methods:

Between 2013 and 2023, 948 pediatric patients diagnosed with foreign bodies in the respiratory tract were treated. The longest recorded duration of FB presence was 11 years. The most common organic FBs were various seeds (e.g., sunflower) and nuts, with nuts accounting for more than half of the cases (58.1%).

On the first day of aspiration, purulent or fibrinopurulent endobronchitis was observed in 19 patients (5.4%). Interestingly, among these, 7 cases (10.1%) were associated with inorganic FBs, and 12 cases (4.3%) with organic FBs.

In cases of prolonged FB retention, purulent or fibrinopurulent endobronchitis developed in 333 patients (68.0%) with organic FBs, and in 60 patients (58.2%) with inorganic FBs.

Results:

Only 355 patients (37.4%) sought medical attention within the first 24 hours after aspiration. The remaining 547 patients (60.6%) presented later. Notably, more than half of these were initially misdiagnosed and treated for other conditions, with the eventual diagnosis of FB aspiration (most often of organic origin) made only after delayed investigation.

Conclusion:

Organic foreign bodies and delayed diagnosis are the primary contributors to complications in pediatric airway FB aspiration. Early detection and prompt intervention are essential to reduce the risk of infectious and obstructive complications.