• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2001

Background and Objectives： Vegetable Foreign bodies (VFB) in the bronchial tree may be complicated by fragmentation, slippage and impaction during the removal with forceps. This study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy for the technique of removing VFB from the bronchial tree in infants and early childhood using Fogarty balloon catheter. Materials and methods : The subjects consisted of 18 infants and early childhood (7-22 months old) with VFB in the bronchial tree from January 1991 through October 1998. The authors first attempted removal of VFB with forceps and if that failed, removed VFB with Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter under the ventilating bronchoscopy and general anesthesia. Results: We removed 6 VFB with forceps. could not remove anymore, and so removed 12 VFB with Fogarty catheter. In 8 VFB of less than 24 hours, we could remove 6 VFB with forceps and 2 VFB which could not be removed with forceps were removed with Fogarty catheter. In 10 VFB of more than 24 hours, we could not remove with forceps and removed with Fogarty catheter. Conclusions : VFB in the bronchial tree of infants and early childhood can usually be removed with forceps. But we think that Fogarty balloon catheter technique is a easy, safe method for the removal of bronchial VFB of more than 24 hours, fragmentation, impaction, lower bronchus and too round or slippery to remove with forceps in infants and early childhood.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 1997

Background and Objectives : In children with tracheal stenosis, operative management remains a challenging problem due to difficulties of operative techniques and postoperative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis as operative management for tracheal stenosis in children. Materials and Methods : 6 children with severe tracheal stenosis underwent tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis. Causes of stenosis were trauma in 1 case and prolonged intubation or tracheotomy in 5 cases. The diagnoses were made by radiologic evaluation (plain X-ray, CT, 3-Dimensional CT) and confirmed by direct laryngoscopy and ventilating bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Thyroplasty and unilateral arytenoidectomy were performed in 1 case. Suprahyoid release was done in 1 case with severe adhesion. Decanulation was achieved following postoperative endoscopic examination and pulmonary function test. Postoperative physical and radiologic examinations were given at regular intervals. Results : Stenosis were improved from grade III grade I in 4 cases and from grade II to grade I in 2 cases. Decanulation was achieved on average postoperative 6 months in 5 cases, and 10 years in 1 case due to exertional dyspnea. There were 1 each case of immediate postoperative subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and wound infection. Postoperative granulomas at anastomosis site were treated with laser vaporization under suspension laryngoscope and bronchoscope in 3 cases. There was 1 each case of delayed postoperative vocal cord palsy, aspiration pneumonia and loss of cough reflex. Conclusion In tracheal stenosis of children, tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis has good result with preservation of normal airway. Preoperative evaluation of local factors such as swallowing, vocal cord movement and cough reflex and general condition was important for successful treatment. As the cases in adults, authors considered this operation to be a curable operative management for tracheal stenosis.