ERS statement: interventional bronchoscopy in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Interventional Pulmonology
• Pediatric Airway Disorders

Background:

• Pediatric airway endoscopy is a widely accepted diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.
• Indications and applications for airway endoscopy in children are continuously expanding.
• A European Respiratory Society task force convened to address interventional bronchoscopy in pediatrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a statement on interventional bronchoscopy in children.
• To describe current evidence and clinical practice.
• To identify areas requiring further investigation in pediatric airway endoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review by a multidisciplinary task force.
• Focus on procedures including lavage, biopsy, foreign body extraction, dilation, stenting, and more.
• Inclusion of caregiver perspectives and assessment of available evidence.

Main Results:

• A scarcity of published evidence was identified in pediatric interventional bronchoscopy.
• Collective clinical experience was often necessary to formulate the statement.
• Significant gaps in knowledge were highlighted across various procedures.

Conclusions:

• Further research is urgently needed in pediatric interventional bronchoscopy.
• Multicenter collaborations among pediatric bronchoscopists are essential.
• Improved research will benefit children suffering from airway disorders.