Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children an audit from a tertiary care center.

A retrospective review of 529 fiberoptic bronchoscopies was done with an aim to identify conditions where it will be most useful. The common indications were persistent/ recurrent pneumonia, persistent collapse, stridor and pulmonary hemorrhage. The diagnostic yield was maximum when it was performed to identify structural abnormalities and the yield was relatively poor in suspected drug resistant tuberculosis, and interstitial lung diseases. Serious complications were seen in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an important tool for management of respiratory problems but should be performed with caution in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.