[Value of fiberoptic bronchoscope in children with epiglottitis].

Acute epiglottitis is an infectious disease causing a severe respiratory distress. Any attempt to move the child in the horizontal position or to examine his throat can result in cardiac arrest. Diagnosis, endotracheal intubation as well as decision making of the optimal time for extubation are greatly facilitated by the use of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The device is a paediatric model (external diameter 3.6 mm with an operating channel). It is inserted through the nare in the child in the sitting position. Oxygen is delivered through a nasal tube. The examination is performed under local anaesthesia (lidocaine 0.5%). Midazolam is sometimes added via the rectal or i.v. route. The clinical signs are monitored as well as the heart rate and SpO2. The diagnosis of epiglottitis as it is visual, is very easy and rapid once the epiglottis is observed through the fibreoptic bronchoscope. The advantage of the examination under fibreoptic bronchoscope is to allow visualization without aggression or stimulation of the pharyngolaryngeal structures and without modification of the child's position. Endotracheal intubation, which is always required, is facilitated as the child is breathing spontaneously. The expiratory flow blows bubbles of saliva, which guide the bronchoscope to the glottis. When the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube is larger than 4 mm, the bronchoscope is used as a guide. When it is less than 4 mm. the bronchoscope is inserted in the trachea with a guide wire slipped in the operating channel; the bronchoscope, but not the wire is withdrawn and the endotracheal tube is inserted over the guide wire.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)