PEDIATRIC FIBEROPTIC LASER RIGID BRONCHOSCOPY

Use of the fiberoptic laser for treatment of tracheobronchial lesions in the adult is well established, However, there is a paucity of exper ience with the fiberoptic laser in the pediatric airway, Tracheal obst ruction caused by granulation tissue or stenosis, as is often seen in children, may be effectively treated with this approach, This article documents the successful use as well as the technologic advantage of t he flexible fiberoptic laser systems, primarily the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser, combined with standard pediatric rigid bronchos copic equipment in 73 procedures involving 52 children (43 children yo unger than five years, with an average age of 21 months). Visualizatio n was excellent, assisted or spontaneous ventilation was well maintain ed, and complications were few.