Pediatric Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy (FOB) has revolutionized the practice of modern pulmonary medicine. Bronchoscopy is the most commonly used invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in pulmonology. It is estimated that as many as 98% of all bronchoscopies are currently performed using the flexible instrument, and most bronchoscopists have never been trained in the technique of rigid bronchoscopies1. Flexible airway endoscopy has been used in clinical and research investigations of pediatric airway and pulmonary disorders for nearly 25 years. The evaluation and management of a variety of airway and pulmonary diseases in children has improved so also research investigations using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsy specimen have contributed extensively to our understanding of lung inflammation and infection. Improvements and new developments in fiberoptic endoscope technology, training of airway endoscopists, preoperative and sedative medications, patients monitoring continue to refine and enhance the pediatric clinical and research applications of flexible airway endoscopy2.