[Diagnostic bronchoscopy: contribution of the flexible video endoscopy]

The author describes the use of paediatric flexible videobronchoscopy. Examinations were performed in newborn, infant and child. In neonatal period, the technique is used for the diagnostic of congenital malformation of airway, upper airway obstruction, pre operative evaluation of tracheooesophageal fistula. In children, more frequent indications are airway obstruction with non clear cause, stridor, chronic cough, congenital malformation of airway, tracheomalacia, follow-up of lung transplantation. In intensive care unit, this technique is very useful in the cases of atelectasis, stridor post extubation, follow-up in prolonged intubation and tracheotomy. The possibility of direct visualization of the anomalies in screen and the function of numeric record are important for diagnosis and teaching procedure.