[Bronchial fiberscopy in infants and children. Technics. Applications]

Bronchial fiberscopic examinations were conducted in 51 small babies and infants under general (9 cases) or local (42 cases) anesthesia. Most of those performed under general anesthesia employed the Venturi effect for ventilation through the fiberscope. By using this technical artefact it was usually possible to avoid the use of an intubation catheter and thus to employ most technical procedures (aspiration, biopsy, bronchial brushing). Possible complications of the method are described and the relative indications for fiberscopy as against rigid bronchoscopy discussed. Endoscopy employing flexible and rigid tubes should be complementary examinations during endobronchial exploration in infants.