[Factors associated with complications caused by bronchoscopy in pediatric patients].
BACKGROUND
Although the role of flexible bronchoscopy as an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in pediatric medicine has been demonstrated, the procedure can cause complications which should be foreseen by the bronchoscopist. However, no precise information is available about the factors associated with the presence of such complications.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of complications caused by bronchoscopy in pediatric patients and the factors associated with their presence.


METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study which reviewed the records of patients aged between 1 month and 18 years who had undergone bronchoscopy between January 1 and December 31, 2002. The presence or absence of several variables considered predictive of postbronchoscopy complications was recorded in each patient.


RESULTS
After adjustment for the method used to access the airway, age less than or equal to 3 months was the only independent factor associated with the presence of complications (odds ratio = 8.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.61-41.55; P=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that patients 3 months old or younger are at greater risk of presenting complications after bronchoscopies performed under general anesthesia. Consequently a risk-benefit analysis should be carried out for patients in this age group, and the possibility of performing the procedure under sedation should be considered.
Rodríguez Martínez
C
C
Fundación Neumológica Colombiana. Organización Sánitas Internacional. Bogotá. Hospital Santa Clara. Bogotá. Colombia.
Sossa
M P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors