Role of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy(FFB)in etiological diagnosis and clinical management of patients of pediatric ICU(PICU).Methods Our retrospective study was based on medical records in a 25-bed PICU of a teriary care center for children.One hundred and five procedures were performed in 96 patients.Results Airway anatomic anomalies,infection and inflammatory reaction,airway foreign body,polypus,and trachea-oesophagus fistula were the five main causes of segmental lung collapse and pulmonary infections in our hospital.Airway anatomic anomalies were more common in children with congenital heart diseases(CHD)(40 of 47 cases,88.9%),but infection and inflammatory airway changes were more frequently found in children without CHD.FFB had a special role in diognosis and treatment of pulmonary atelectasis,hemoptysis and airway management.A total of 25 strains were isolated from 90 cases,in which the Gram-negative bacteria were the main pathogen.Conclusion FFB is useful and safe in etiological diagnosis and clinical management of very sick infants and children with a variety of respiratory diseases. Key words: Bronchoscopy; Pediatric intensive care unit