OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze the clinicopathological features and choice of treatment for delayed inhaled bronchial foreign bodies.

METHODSA retrospective review is presented of patients with delayed inhaled bronchial foreign bodies treated by pulmonary resection between January 1980 and June 2010. There were 17 patients (12 male and 5 female). Mean age was 36 years (ranging 10 to 66 years). The mean interval of onset was 2 years (ranging 3 months to 8 years). Confirmed diagnosis before surgery in 8 cases and 9 cases were misdiagnosed as other diseases. Surgical procedures included right lower lobectomy in 4 cases, right middle lobectomy in 3 cases, right lower and middle lobectomy in 1 case, right lobe lobectomy and rid resection drainage in 1 case, right lobe lobectomy and pleurectomy in 1 case, video-assisted right lobe partial resection in 1 case, left pneumonectomy in 4 cases, left lower lobectomy in 1 cases and left upper lobectomy in 1 cases.

RESULTSOne case died of pulmonary infection and 2 cases complicated of BPF after operation. Foreign bodies were localized in the right bronchial tree in 11 cases, the left in 6 cases. The majority of the foreign bodies were vegetable origin.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis rate of delayed inhaled bronchial foreign bodies should be improved in order avoiding of pulmonary resection. It is necessary to perform pulmonary resection timely if the pulmonary infection is evident for fear that the infection progress into severe infection.