Bronchoscopic intubation as a method of choice for difficult-to-intubate pediatric patients

Overview

The authors present their experience with the use of fiberoptic bronchoscope for intubation of pediatric patients. There are presented indicationsfor this technique, preoperative management and the differences according to the age of patients. Fiberoptic bronchoscope (BFS) of external diameter3,5 mm was used. This device allows to pass over ETT 4,5 mm. The most frequent complication of that procedure was nasal mucosa bleeding. Withthat technique, all 22 patients were successfully intubated. The mean duration of intubation was 6 minutes, the longest intubation took 13 minutes. Thepossibility of fiberoptic intubation of pediatric patients is a great contribution for pediatric section of University Hospital Motol.

Key words:
difficult intubation of pediatric patients – fiberoptic intubation