Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Directed Interventions in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Published in: Indian pediatrics 2019-07, Vol.56 (7), p.563-565
• Main Authors: Sachdev, Anil, Chhawchharia, Ritika, Gupta, Dhiren, Gupta, Neeraj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway Management - methods; Bronchoscopy - methods; Bronchoscopy - statistics & numerical data; Cartilage Diseases - diagnosis; Cartilage Diseases - epidemiology; Choanal Atresia - diagnosis; Choanal Atresia - epidemiology; Congenital Abnormalities - diagnosis; Congenital Abnormalities - epidemiology; Female; Humans; India - epidemiology; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - diagnosis; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - epidemiology; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal - organization & administration; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal - statistics & numerical data; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; Laryngostenosis - diagnosis; Laryngostenosis - epidemiology; Larynx - abnormalities; Male; Maternal and Child Health; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pediatric Surgery; Pediatrics; Reproducibility of Results; Research Paper; Retrospective Studies; Tracheoesophageal Fistula - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0019-6061; 0974-7559
• DOI: 10.1007/s13312-019-1555-x

Objective To describe the utility of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy for the diagnosis and management in the neonatal ICU. Methods A retrospective, medical chart review was conducted in neonates who underwent flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy over a period of 7 years. Besides demographic data and diagnostic findings, the results of medical and/or surgical interventions done by treating neonatologist were recorded. Results 88 bronchoscopies were performed in 83 neonates, of which 37 were done through endotracheal tube. Indications included persistent need for mechanical ventilation (32), persistent atelectasis (21), and stridor (27). Most common airway anomalies diagnosed included tracheobronchomalacia (20), laryngomalacia (18), subglottic stenosis (7), choanal atresia (4), laryngeal cleft (4), and tracheoesophageal fistula (4). Surgical interventions were undertaken in 17 cases (9 tracheostomies and 2 cases of slide tracheoplasty). Conclusion Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be beneficial for the diagnosis and management of neonates with persistent or undiagnosed respiratory problems.