Organic vs. Inorganic Tracheobronchial Airway Foreign Body Aspiration: Does Type/Duration Matter?

Objective: We sought to determine the time course of clinical and histologic differences between aspirated inorganic and organic foreign bodies.

Study Design: In-vivo.

Methods: Twenty Sinclair miniature swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) were divided into two groups-inorganic or organic foreign bodies. Either an organic (peanut) or an inorganic (Lego) foreign body was placed within a bronchus and left for 3, 5, 7, 14 or 21 days. The airway was reassessed at the predetermined endpoint at which time endoscopic, gross, and histopathological findings were documented. Specimens were scored with a pathologic scoring system to assess injury severity from the foreign body.

Results: Foreign bodies were successfully placed in all 20 swine. Two animals required early euthanasia due to respiratory compromise. The foreign body was identified grossly in eight (40%) animals. An additional three (15%) had microscopic evidence suggestive of a previous foreign body of an undetermined duration. There was no difference in injury severity between organic and inorganic foreign bodies. The 3-day group had injuries limited to the bronchial lining, whereas the longer duration groups had bronchial and adjacent lung parenchymal involvement. There was no difference in injury severity between days 5 and 21.

Conclusions: Airway foreign bodies initially cause bronchial damage. After 5 days, the foreign body causes lung parenchymal changes. There was no difference in airway lesion severity between organic and inorganic foreign bodies.

Level Of Evidence: N/A Laryngoscope, 131:490-495, 2021.