Pediatric Interventional Pulmonology

Abstract

Although controversy over the role of flexible versus rigid bronchoscopy for airway foreign body management persists, the effort should focus on prevention of aspiration of foreign bodies instead. This article discusses several recent advances in the bronchoscopic management of congenital tracheal stenosis, pediatric airway stenting, and the use of different types of lasers in children. The lack of randomized clinical trials leaves pediatric interventional bronchoscopic procedures without much national or international standards or guidelines. The number of published data in the form of cases reports and case series remains modest. More bronchoscopists should be trained in this growing field to overcome these limitations.

Keywords: Airway stents; Bronchoscopic dilatation; Bronchoscopic laser; Congenital tracheal stenosis; Foreign body aspiration; Foreign body removal; Pediatric interventional bronchoscopy.