[Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in children with persistent atelectasis: a case series report].
Most patients with pulmonary atelectasis have complete resolution with medical therapy. In patients with persistent atelectasis, endoscopic treatment has proven to be an effective therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To describe our experience using flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children with persistent atelectasis. This is a case series report of children treated with flexible bronchoscopy between January 2005 and December 2013, at the Pediatric Pulmonology Section of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.


RESULTS
From a total of 106 bronchoscopies performed, 32 of the patients had a diagnosis of persistent atelectasis. Mean age, 5 years. Laryngeal mask airway was the most common route for flexible bronchoscopy. In 28/32 patients, the procedure was therapeutically useful (complete or partial re-expansion). The procedure was well tolerated and presented only mild complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Flexible bronchoscopy proved to be a safe and effective tool for the treatment of children with persistent atelectasis.
Departamento de Clínica Pediátrica, Sección de Neumonología Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.
Hernán Lucio
HL
Talamoni
Departamento de Clínica Pediátrica, Sección de Neumonología Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.
Néstor Daniel
ND
Pisapia
Departamento de Clínica Pediátrica, Sección de Neumonología Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.
Jefferson Antonio
JA
Buendía
D000293:Adolescent; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies