Flexible Airway Endoscopy in Children.

Abstract

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) previously published standards for Flexible Airway Endoscopy (FAE) in children in the American Review of Respiratory Diseases in 1992 [1]. Since that time there have been significant advances in the field with expansion in the use of FAE for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The ATS formed a multidisciplinary committee of international experts to develop new technical standards. The standards are based largely upon the experience of committee members, as there is minimal evidence related to pediatric FAE available from clinical trials and controlled observational studies. The technical standards describe the equipment, personnel, competencies, and procedures necessary for pediatric FAE. This summary is prepared for practicing clinicians.