Introduction: Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FB) is an important diagnostic examination in paediatric pulmonology. In 2002 the Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergy Club undertook a retrospective study to establish the current status of fibreoptic bronchoscopy among its members.
Methods: In 2001 sixty five paediatric pulmonologists carried out an average of 116 examinations (+/- 111) in 35 paediatric centres. FB was performed either in an operating theatre (15 centres), a dedicated bronchoscopy suite (6 centres) or an endoscopy suite shared with gastro-enterologists (7 centres). Other examinations were performed in areas dedicated to, or associated with intensive care. General anaesthesia was routinely used in 18 centres. The others used sedation including an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide in 14 centres. Ten centres performed less than 50 examinations, 12 between 51 and 100, 4 between 101 and 200 and 8 centres more than 200 in the year. Seventy two per cent of the children were less than 6 years old. The washing and disinfection procedures were manual in 20 centres and automatic in 15.
Results: Three principal indications were reported: persistent wheezing, suspicion of a foreign body and ventilatory difficulties. Cough, desaturation and fever were the most frequently reported side effects.
Conclusions: This is the first survey in paediatric pulmonology in France. It shows a wide variation in the practice of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in children.