Usefulness of bronchoscopy in children

ABSTRACT

Seventy-three fiberoptic bronchoscopes, using flexible bronchoscope under general anesthesia, were carried out. Bronchoscopic diagnosis was established in 63 cases, while in the remaining 10 cases, the airways appeared normal. Its efficacy, as a diagnostic tool, was 100% in cases presented with stridor and in cases of suspected foreign body aspiration. As a therapeutic tool, the rigid bronchoscope [Doesel- Huzly] was used to remove foreign bodies from the airways of children successfully, but the flexible type failed to inflate the collapsed lung segments not due to foreign body inhalation. Minimal and trivial complications had occurred during and after bronchoscopy. The high diagnostic and therapeutic benefits, with low rate of complications, strongly support the use of bronchoscopes in children and infants who have a variety of pulmonary problems