[Factors associated with complications caused by bronchoscopy in pediatric patients]

Although the role of flexible bronchoscopy as an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in pediatric medicine has been demonstrated, the procedure can cause complications which should be foreseen by the bronchoscopist. However, no precise information is available about the factors associated with the presence of such complications.

To determine the incidence of complications caused by bronchoscopy in pediatric patients and the factors associated with their presence.

This was a retrospective cohort study which reviewed the records of patients aged between 1 month and 18 years who had undergone bronchoscopy between January 1 and December 31, 2002. The presence or absence of several variables considered predictive of postbronchoscopy complications was recorded in each patient.

After adjustment for the method used to access the airway, age less than or equal to 3 months was the only independent factor associated with the presence of complications (odds ratio = 8.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.61-41.55; P=.01).

We conclude that patients 3 months old or younger are at greater risk of presenting complications after bronchoscopies performed under general anesthesia. Consequently a risk-benefit analysis should be carried out for patients in this age group, and the possibility of performing the procedure under sedation should be considered.