Flexible bronchoscopy under 10 kg

We report 35 bronchoscopies performed in 27 post-neonatal subjects weighing less than 10 kg using an Olympus BC3F20 (3.5 mm diameter) bronchoscope. Twenty-three procedures were performed primarily for investigation of airway anatomy and 12 primarily for broncho-alveolar lavage. Mild oxygen desaturation responsive to increased O2 administration was common. Major complications were infrequent with two children developing lower respiratory tract infection and one patient requiring ventilation overnight. The diagnostic yield was high with 76% of studies in children suspected of airway anomalies proving positive. We conclude that bronchoscopy in this age group is well tolerated and identifies a significant number of abnormalities.