BEAD; A DIFFICULT TRACHEOBRONCHIAL FOREIGN BODY TO RETRIEVE; BRONCHOSCOPIST PERSPECTIVE.

Abstract

To know the efficacy of different instruments in retrieval of bead from tracheobronchial tree.
BACKGROUND: Bead is uncommon object in western world and therefore rarely recorded as a
foreign body in tracheobronchial tree. No specific instrument being named for its retrieval. Our study
focuses on different instruments we used and its outcome.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was retrospective study of foreign body bead impaction in
tracheobronchial tree. All patients subjected to bronchoscopy with definite clinical findings of bead
impaction on radiology or bronchoscopic examination were recorded, with different instruments used. In
all cases Karlstorz rigid bronchoscopes of size 3.0 to 5.0 with fiber optic light used. Long bronchoscopic
screw forceps, malleable forceps. Large nasal killian forceps was used after tracheostomy in some cases.
Study period: 1st January 2008 to December 2012.
Site: ENT A unit Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar.
RESULTS: In our study of 3 years 32 cases were recorded with bead impaction in tracheobroncheal
tree. 21(65.62%) were male and 11 (34.37%) female. Age ranges below 1 year was 1 (3%) case,
between lyear and 2 years 6 (18.75%) cases, 2 years to 3 years 21(65.62%) and 3 years and above 4
(12.5%) cases recorded. 21(65.62%) beads were retrieved with malleable forceps, 8 (25%) with long
screw forceps, 1 (3%) after tracheostomy with long killan nasal forceps and 2 (6.25%) impacted beads
were referred to cardiothoracic department for thoracotomy. 3 (9.37%) beads were impacted in main
trachea, 19 (59.53%) in right main bronchus and 10 (31.25%) in left main bronchus.
CONCLUSION: Bead is one of the difficult foreign body tracheobroncheal tree and needs special
instruments for its removal.
KEY WORDS: Beeds, Boronchoscopy,