[Ventilation using jet-ventilation during fiber-optic bronchoscopy in children under 5 years old. Apropos of 100 case...

The authors report an original procedure for respiratory assistance during flexible bronchoscopy in infants and toddlers. The injector is directly connected with the operating channel of the bronchoscope. Ventilation parameters are pre-regulated before introducing the fiberscope into the respiratory tree. Insufflation volumes are restricted to 5 ml/kg at the tip of the bronchoscope, on a basis of 40 to 60 cycles per minute, according to children's age. A venturi effect may occur as discrepancy between bronchi and the size of the fiberscope does exist. For evaluating this effect, gas flow is measured through tracheal tubes selected in accordance to the size of the respiratory tree of the infant. This evaluation demonstrates that tidal volumes are comprised within 5 and 10 ml/kg. The procedure of jet-ventilation was performed on 100 infants under general anaesthesia with curarization. Baro-traumatic accidents did not occur, despite poor physical conditions in many cases. The procedure was safe for the infants and convenient for the physicians. In this way, it could be recommended for flexible bronchoscopy in infants and toddlers with poor condition or when excessive duration of the examination could be required (diagnostic or therapeutic procedures associated).