Advantages of video endoscopy in pediatric aerodigestive tract disorders.

The naked eye examination of the larynx through the laryngoscope is inadequate for the examination of the minute anatomic structures and does not permit the visualization of the subglottic space or the trachea. A telescope coupled to a miniature television camera is advanced under precise visual control through the vocal cords and into the trachea. Oxygen is administered through the instrument to avoid fogging and provide diffusion oxygenation during the apneic phase. The procedure is safe, fast, and provides a simultaneous record. A vastly improved image allows the examination to be performed from the television screen. Electronic imaging has much to offer in the area of pediatric endoscopy. Video endoscopic examinations of the aerodigestive tract of 151 infants were successfully performed without any complications.