Excision of bronchogenic cysts in children using an ultrathin fibreoptic bronchoscope

We report the use of an ultrathin fibreoptic bronchoscope (Olympus N20: external diameter: 2.2 mm) as the means of airway endoscopic monitoring during anaesthesia for the excision of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in two young children.

The first, a four-month old boy, presented with stridor and wheezing due to a subcarinal bronchogenic cyst compressing the two main bronchi. The second, an eight-day-old girl whose trachea was intubated, presented with respiratory noise in relation to a bronchogenic cyst compressing the end of the trachea. In both cases, airway endoscopy was performed during anaesthesia with the ultra thin fibreoptic bronchoscope. Endoscopic monitoring allowed, first, a good evaluation of the degree of cyst compression on the airways. Second, the endotracheal tube could be positioned or repositioned with precision in order to avoid severe compression or spilling of liquid into the airways and to allow protection of the suture. Finally, video transmission helped the surgeon to visualize the surgical repair from the inside.

When added to the classical monitoring using SpO2, PETCO2 and airway pressure, peroperative endoscopic control provides complementary information which can help to detect possible complications more rapidly. This technique could be extended to all airway surgery on very young children.