The Safety of Flexible Bronchoscopy as an Outpatient Procedure in Young Infants

Abstract

Objectives: Flexible endoscopy (FE) for the pediatric aerodigestive tract is an invasive and complicated procedure; therefore it usually is performed under an inpatient setting. We investigate whether FE can be a safe procedure for outpatient young infant (＜3 month old). Methods: Outpatient FE records were retrospectively reviewed between 1997 and 2003. All patients were aged less than 3 month old, and those with known airway or other major anomalies were excluded. The safety and efficacy of outpatient FE were evaluated, and the findings were also recorded. Results: A total of 83 young infants (54 malesand 29 females) were collected. Stridor was the most common symptom in 50 (60.2%) followed by noisy breathing sound and dyspnea/tachypnea both in 17 (20.5%). Laryngomalacia was the most common bronchoscopic finding and account for 60.2%. After FE, there were 7 cases of admissions (8.4%), and only 2 cases were associated with the complications of FE, which encountered 2.4% of all cases. Convulsion was noted in one case, and the other suffered from cardiopulmonary failure during the procedures. Conclusions: From this study, we can concluded that the outpatient FE was a safe and effective procedure, and admission was indicated when the major complications happened. It is a tolerable procedure in young infants in the outpatient basis.