[Anesthesia for endoscopic extraction of lower respiratory tract foreign bodies in children].

Foreign body inhalation is a serious emergency which raises both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Progress achieved in the domain of instrumentation and anaesthesia permit the endoscopic extraction with incontestable comfort and security However, child's anaesthesia often in respiratory distress can prove to be difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate problems encountered during anaesthesia for endoscopic extraction of foreign bodies in lower respiratory tract and to submit an adequate management strategy. This retrospective study was about 161 cases of lower respiratory tract foreign bodies admitted to the clinic O.R.L. of le Dantec hospital from January 1986 to December 2000. Sixteen patients have had a tracheotomy immediately, before endoscopy. One hundred and fifty six patients have had endoscopy. All endoscopic procedures have been achieved under general anaesthesia with intubation by the bronchoscope. Three patients presented peroperative cardiopulmonary arrest and 8 patients died after endoscopy. The improvement of technical means will permit to reduce morbidity and mortality linked to foreign body inhalation.