Paediatric airway endoscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To review all paediatric endoscopies performed in a tertiary referral unit over a three-year period.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of case-notes of all paediatric endoscopies performed between May 1993 and June 1996.


RESULTS
333 paediatric airway endoscopies were performed on 146 children, of which 52% were GP referrals and the remainder secondary referrals. 70% were diagnostic endoscopies, 30% therapeutic procedures, with the commonest indication being stridor and respiratory distress (82%). Routine chest radiographs, lateral neck X-rays, and barium swallows were unhelpful in the management of the commoner upper-airway conditions. The commonest findings were laryngomalacia (44%) and subglottic stenosis (22%) and 17% of all cases had multiple airway abnormalities. Tracheotomy was performed on 18.4%, laryngotracheoplasty on 7.5%, and laryngotracheal reconstruction on 2.5%. There were no major complications in this series.


CONCLUSIONS
All children with airway symptoms should have a thorough rigid-endoscopic evaluation of their upper and lower airways. Radiology has a limited role in the diagnosis of the more common airway pathologies. These patients need to be assessed and managed in regional centres.
Bhat
N
N
West Midlands Rotation in Otolaryngology, Edgebaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. nbhat98255@aol.com
De
R
R
Zeiton
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery