Flexible bronchoscopy in infants and children.

The authors describe the use of flexible bronchoscope in infants and children ranging in age from 20 hours to 17 years and in weight from 1.5 kg upwards. Bronchoscopy was carried out under local (17 cases) and general anesthesia (95 cases). Seventeen-six of the 95 examinations under general anesthesia were conducted using the jet-ventilation technique. The advantages and drawbacks of this technique are discussed. The authors list the indications which they regard as favoring the flexible tube rather than the rigid one, and emphasize the complementary nature of these 2 techniques in pediatrics.