[Experience in diagnostic-therapeutic broncho-fibroscopy with children under combined general anesthesia]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Anesthesiology
• Medical Technology

Context:

• Traditional bronchoscopy in pediatric patients often requires artificial pulmonary ventilation.
• This can lead to complications such as muscle fibrillation and respiratory distress.
• Assessing the deeper bronchial structures in children presents unique challenges.

Purpose:

• To develop and validate an alternative bronchoscopy method for pediatric patients (3 months to 15 years).
• To conduct bronchoscopy under combined general anesthesia without artificial pulmonary ventilation.
• To improve the diagnostic yield and safety of pediatric bronchoscopy.

Summary:

• A novel bronchoscopy technique was employed in pediatric patients without artificial pulmonary ventilation.
• Rigid bronchoscopy allowed visualization only to order I bronchi, with observed myorelaxant side effects.
• Bronchofiberoscopy enabled examination down to order III bronchi, demonstrating reduced iatrogenic complication risk.

Impact:

• The proposed diagnostic method significantly reduces the likelihood of iatrogenic complications in pediatric bronchoscopy.
• This alternative technique enhances the safety and efficacy of airway examination in young patients.
• Facilitates more thorough examination of the pediatric airway, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy.