Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Through the Laryngeal Mask Airway in a Small Premature Infant

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GEDIK A. H., ÇAKIR E., TOPUZ U.

TURKISH THORACIC JOURNAL, vol.17, no.1, pp.32-34, 2016 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 17 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.5578/ttj.17.1.006
  • Journal Name: TURKISH THORACIC JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.32-34
  • Keywords: Child, flexible bronchoscopy, laryngeal mask airway, CHILDREN
  • Bezmialem Vakıf University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) can be used safely for wider indications in children. Ultra-thin bronchoscopes are used for premature or newborn infants and are of limited diagnostic value. Bronchoscopes with a suction channel, may lead to problems when the nasal passage is narrow, particularly in patients under 2.5 kg. In addition, it may cause bronchospasm and hypoxia in small infants during the procedure because of an almost complete obstruction of the airway. A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) may prevent both bronchospasm and hypoxia because it does not need a nasal route. In addition, the LMA allows positive pressure ventilation during the procedure. We performed FB with a 3.7 mm bronchoscope through the LMA in a 75-day-old and 1910 g premature baby with atelectasis. This is the first and successful FB experience in such a small premature infant reported in the literature using a 3.7 mm bronchoscope through the LMA.