Local experience in paediatric flexible bronchoscopy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Pediatric Endoscopy

Background:

• Flexible bronchoscopy is an important diagnostic tool in pediatric respiratory medicine.
• Indications for the procedure in children often relate to airway abnormalities and persistent lung changes.
• Assessing the safety and efficacy of flexible bronchoscopy in pediatric populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the indications, outcomes, and safety of flexible bronchoscopy in children.
• To identify the most common reasons for performing the procedure in a pediatric setting.
• To evaluate the complication rate associated with pediatric flexible bronchoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.
• Data collected included patient demographics, indications for the procedure, and immediate outcomes.
• Analysis of complications such as desaturation, laryngospasm, pneumonia, pneumothorax, and bleeding.

Main Results:

• A total of 110 children underwent flexible bronchoscopy, with a median age of 8 months.
• The most frequent indication was chronic stridor (50 cases), commonly due to laryngomalacia (29 cases).
• Three procedures were abandoned due to desaturation; one patient required ventilation for laryngospasm. Two neonates developed pneumonia post-procedure. No pneumothorax or bleeding occurred.

Conclusions:

• Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe and valuable procedure for diagnosing pediatric respiratory conditions, particularly chronic stridor.
• While complications are rare, careful patient selection and experienced personnel are essential for minimizing risks.
• The benefits of flexible bronchoscopy in children generally outweigh the potential risks when indicated.