History and Objectives: Foreign body aspiration may be life threatening among children due to complications associated with bronchoscopy. The present study was carried out on patients undergoing foreign body aspiration who were admitted to Matini Hospital of Kashan during the period of 1991-1999.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on existing data, which included 121 patients who have undergone bronchoscopic aspiration of foreign body. Patient’s personal records including, age, sex, symptoms and signs on admission, type and location of foreign body, radiologic findings and complications of bronchoscopy were recorded and the results were analyzed.

Results: From total of 121 patients enrolled into the study, 73 cases (60%) were male and 48 cases (40%) were female. Foreign body aspiration was most commonly observed at 1-3 years of age (42.9%). Cough, as the most common clinical finding was present in 62 cases (51%). Seed of watermelon was the most frequent foreign body (72%). Obstructive emphysema was observed in 37 patients (39%) by X-ray examination and atelectasis was evident in 16 patients (17%). Thirty-two patients (34%) had normal chest X-ray. Nine patients (7.3%) experienced complications of during bronchoscopy.

Conclusion: Although foreign body aspiration is more commonly observed in children, it can occur at any age and without any underlying factor. A normal chest X-ray dose not rule out the presence of foreign body. An experienced physician can reduce the complications of foreign body removal by bronchoscopy.