Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Applications of Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopes in Infants and Children

1978; Elsevier BV; Volume: 73; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1378/chest.73.5_supplement.737

1931-3543

Robert E. Wood, Robert Fink,

Neonatal Respiratory Health Research

The flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope has revolutionized pulmonary endoscopic examination in all areas except pediatrics. Because the patients must breathe around (rather than through) a flexible bronchoscope, the size of available instruments has generally limited their use to patients age ten or older. 1 Sackner MA Bronchofiberscopy. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1975; 111: 62 PubMed Google Scholar Several models of flexible bronchoscopes are available in sizes that can be used in children, but these instruments lack an effective suction channel, thus restricting their usefulness. This report describes the use of flexible bronchoscopes in infants and children and a method for adding a suction channel to a small commercially available instrument. Within certain limitations we have found that flexible bronchoscopes can be used safely in children and have some advantages over open-tube instruments.