[Role of flexible bronchoscopy in the re-expansion of persistent atelectasis in children].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of flexible bronchoscopy plus bronchoalveolar lavage for the reexpansion of persistent atelectasis (course longer than 3 weeks) in children.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the records of 83 children who underwent flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy plus bronchoalveolar lavage for persistent atelectasis. Three categories of evolution were established for radiologic assessment: a) full re-expansion (full improvement over the initial image); b) partial re-expansion (decreased atelectasis of between 50% and 100%); and c) no change (if the decrease was less than 50% of the initial image).


RESULTS
Endoscopy revealed mucus plugs in 54 patients (65%); bronchial malformations in 16 (19%); bronchial stenosis in 5 (6%); normal airways in 5 (6%) and other findings in 3 (4%). Radiologic changes after bronchoscopy showed full expansion for 34 patients (41%), partial re-expansion for 28 (34%) and no changes for 21 (25%).


CONCLUSIONS
Flexible bronchoscopy plus bronchoalveolar lavage for the re-expansion of persistent atelectasis is useful in a high percentage of children.
Sección de Respiratorio Pediátrico. Departamento de Pediatría. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. holmgren@med.puc.cl
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Holmgren
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Córdova
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Ortúzar
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Sánchez
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors