Flexible bronchoscopy and interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatric large airway disease

Summary Objective Demonstrate the benefits of a multidisciplinary pediatric airway team prepared to evaluate and treat otolaryngology patients with flexible bronchoscopy. Design Case series. Setting Tertiary, academic children’s hospital. Patients 10 children (5 male, 5 female age range 2 months–16 years) presenting with complex symptoms potentially referable to large airways. Intervention Flexible bronchoscopy for diagnostic (bronchoalveolar lavage, ciliary biopsy, assess ongoing surgical intervention, and rule in or rule out foreign body; N = 6) or therapeutic (evacuate bronchial mucus plug, laser subglottis when patient has fused cervical spine, and distal instillation [fibrin glue for bronchopleural fistula and dornase alpha for plastic bronchitis]; N = 4). Main outcome measure Retrospectively ask if flexible bronchoscopy and interdisciplinary management improved patient care in these select otolaryngology cases. Results 10/10 patients benefited from interdisciplinary management including flexible bronchoscopy. Conclusion Our experience illustrates many uses for flexible bronchoscopy in otolaryngology patients, and suggests that an airway team prepared to use flexible bronchoscopy will create opportunities for improved patient care.