[Usefulness of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in critical pediatric care].
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) is being applied increasingly in pediatrics as a therapeutic and diagnostic technique.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the contribution of FB to the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).


METHODS
We reviewed FB performed with 3.5 and 2.2 mm external diameter instruments between January 1989 and October 1998 in patients admitted to the PICU. Underlying disease and purpose of and indications for FB were analyzed. We also analyzed route of insertion, findings of airway inspection and bronco-alveolar lavage (BAL), complications and the contribution of FB to patient management.


RESULTS
A total of 51 procedures in 47 patients aged between ten days and 12 years old were performed. Twenty-one children (41%) were under one year old. The initial indications for FB were diagnostic in 73% and therapeutic in 27%. Airway inspection showed abnormality in 65%. BAL was performed in 18 cases, with microbiological findings in 8 of the 18. The patients benefited directly from the technique in 75% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
FB is useful diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in PICU patients and is generally well tolerated.
García García
E
E
Sección de Neumología Infantil, Hospital Maternoinfantil Carlos Haya, Málaga. EMIGAGA@santandersupernet.com
Pérez Ruiz
E
E
Quesada Rodríguez
L
L
Milano Manso
G
G
Pérez Frías
J
J
Calvo Macías
C
C
Martínez Valverde
A
A
D000367:Age Factors; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy