Diagnosis of tracheal injury in mechanically ventilated premature infants by flexible bronchoscopy. A pilot study

The effects of video double-lumen tubes on intubation complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: A randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND

Tracheal injuries, vocal cord injuries, sore throat and hoarseness are common complications of double-lumen tube (DLT) intubation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 'video double-lumen tubes' (VDLTs) on intubation complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled study.

SETTINGT

Xuzhou Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou, China, from January 2023 to June 2023.

PATIENTS

One hundred eighty-two patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery with one-lung ventilation were randomised into two groups: 90 in the DLT group and 92 in the VDLT group.

INTERVENTION

VDLT was selected for intubation in the VDLT group, and DLT was selected for intubation in the DLT group. A fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) was used to record tracheal and vocal cord injuries.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes were the incidence of moderate-to-severe tracheal injury and the incidence of vocal cord injury. The secondary outcomes included the incidence and severity of postoperative 24 and 48 h sore throat and hoarseness.

RESULTS

The incidence of moderate-to-severe tracheal injury was 32/90 (35.6%) in the DLT group, and 45/92 (48.9%) in the VDLT group ( P  = 0.077; relative risk 1.38, 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.95). The incidence of vocal cord injury was 31/90 (34.4%) and 34/92 (37%) in the DLT and VDLT groups, respectively ( P  = 0.449). The incidence of postoperative 24 h sore throat and hoarseness was significantly higher in the VDLT group than in the DLT group (for sore throat: P  = 0.032, relative risk 1.63, 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.57; for hoarseness: P  = 0.018, relative risk 1.48, 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.06).

CONCLUSION

There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of moderate-to-severe tracheal injury and vocal cord injury between DLTs and VDLTs. While improving the first-attempt success rate, intubation with VDLT increased the incidence of postoperative 24 h sore throat and hoarseness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2300067348.

Effect of thermal softening of double-lumen endobronchial tubes on postoperative sore throat in patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The incidence of postoperative sore throat (POST) after tracheal intubation using double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs) is higher in patients with prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection than in the general population. This prospective trial was conducted to determine whether thermal softening of DLTs could decrease the incidence of POST or other airway injuries in patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 60 each). In the thermal softening group, the distal portion of the DLT was placed in thermostatic saline (50 °C) for 10 min before endotracheal intubation. In the control group, the distal portion of the DLT was placed in room temperature saline for 10 min before endotracheal intubation. The incidence and severity of POST and hoarseness were assessed at 1, 6 and 24 h postoperatively. The primary outcomes were the incidence and severity of POST at 6 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were the incidence and severity of hoarseness, vocal cord and tracheal injuries, and hemodynamic changes in patients at intubation.

RESULTS

The incidence of POST at 6 h postoperatively was greater in the control group than in the thermal softening group [41 (68%) vs. 22 (37%), P = 0.001]. The overall incidence of POST at 24 h postoperatively was greater in the control group than in the thermal softening group [46 (76%) vs. 24 (40%), P < 0.001]. The overall incidence of tracheal injuries was also greater in the control group than in the thermal softening group (P = 0.016). Vocal cord injuries occurred more frequently in the control group than in the thermal softening group (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Thermal softening of DLTs before intubation can reduce the incidence of POST and airway injuries in patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection undergoing DLT insertion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial has been registered at www.chictr.org.cn (registration number: ChiCTR2200066821; registration date: December 19, 2022).

Comparison of conventional and fibreoptic-guided advance of left-sided double-lumen tube during endobronchial intubation: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative sore throat and airway injuries are relatively common after double-lumen tube (DLT) intubation.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of fibreoptic-guided advance of DLT on postoperative sore throat and airway injuries associated with intubation.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled study.

SETTING

Tertiary hospital, Seongnam, Korea, from January 2018 to January 2019.

PATIENTS

One hundred twenty three patients undergoing one-lung ventilation with a left-side DLT were randomised into two groups: 62 in the conventional group and 61 in the fibreoptic-guided group.

INTERVENTION

After entering the glottis, the DLT was rotated left 90° and advanced blindly into the left main bronchus in the conventional group. In the fibreoptic-guided group, DLT was advanced into the main bronchus under the guide of fibreoptic bronchoscope, which had been passed through the bronchial lumen and inserted into the left main bronchus.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was postoperative sore throat at 24 h after operation. The airway injuries were also examined using a bronchoscope during extubation.

RESULTS

At postoperative 24 h, the fibreoptic-guided group showed lower pain score (P = 0.001) and lower incidence (risk ratio [95% CI]: 0.2 [0.1 to 0.5], P < 0.001) of sore throat, compared with the conventional group. Moreover, tracheal injury was more severe in the conventional group than in the fibreoptic group (P = 0.003). Vocal cord injuries also occurred less frequently in the fibreoptic-guided group (risk ratio [95% CI]: 0.4 [0.2 to 1.0], P = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

The fibreoptic-guided advancement seems to reduce irritation to the airway, leading less postoperative complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT03368599.

Full Airway Drainage by Fiber Bronchoscopy Through Artificial Airway in the Treatment of Occult Traumatic Atelectasis

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of full airway drainage by fiber bronchoscopy through artificial airway in the treatment of traumatic atelectasis with occult manifestations. From May 2006 to May 2011, 40 cases of occult traumatic atelectasis were enrolled into our prospective study. Group A (n = 18) received drainage by nasal bronchoscope; group B underwent airway drainage by fiber bronchoscopy through artificial airway (n = 22). The effects of treatment were evaluated by the incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), lung abscess, and the average length of hospital stay. Compared with nasal fiber-optic treatment, airway drainage by fiber bronchoscopy through artificial airway reduced the incidence of ARDS (p = 0.013) and lung abscess (p = 0.062) and shortened the mean length of stay (p = 0.018). Making the decision to create an artificial airway timely and carry out lung lavage by fiber bronchoscopy through artificial airway played a significant role in the treatment of occult traumatic atelectasis.

Laryngotracheobronchoscopy prior to esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula repair--its use and importance

BACKGROUND

Pure esophageal atresia (EA) and esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) are commonly associated with various anomalies. Associated anomalies, especially those of upper airways may alter the management strategies. This study was designed to find out the role of preoperative laryngotracheobronchoscopy (LTB) just prior to the standard surgical procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective study. The data of all the newborn babies (n=88) with a provisional diagnosis of EA or EA-TEF with preoperative rigid LTB, using 2.5/3.0/3.5F rigid bronchoscope were analyzed. This additional procedure entailed documenting the abnormalities, endoscopic lavage and noting the site of the fistula. The fistula was cannulated by 3.0 F ureteric catheter just prior to the standard surgical procedure. Management strategies were changed as per the additional findings.

RESULTS

Out of 88 patients, 77 had EA-TEF while 11 had pure EA. LTB was performed in all of them. Additional findings in bronchoscopy were noted in 18 (20.46%) babies. These additional findings were: fistula at unusual site in 12, laryngotracheal cleft in 2 and vallecular cyst in 1 neonate. The diagnosis of pure EA turned out to be EA-TEF in 3 cases. Unusual fistula sites were carinal/subcarinal in 4/12 (33.33%), upper pouch fistula in 1/12 (8.33%), double fistula in 2/12 (16.67%) and fistula from main bronchus in 5/12 (41.67%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS

LTB performed just prior to the definitive surgical procedure in EA and EA-TEF would diagnose, document and may aid in the surgical management strategies.

Wire-aided reintubation following rigid bronchoscopy a safe technique

The management of a neonate with a known difficult airway is a challenge to any clinician. We report a four-day-old neonate with a known difficult airway, who presented to us for rigid bronchoscopy. We used an innovative, economical and easily available adult central venous line guidewire to secure the airway and reintubate the child.

Retrospective evaluation of a paediatric intensivist-led flexible bronchoscopy service

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the diagnostic yield, therapeutic role and safety of flexible bronchoscopy via an intensivist-led service in critically ill children.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Regional paediatric intensive care unit.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

One hundred forty-eight flexible bronchoscopies were performed by two intensivists on 134 patients (median age 16.5 months) over a 2.5-year period. Eighty-eight percent of patients required mechanical ventilation, and 22% were receiving inotropes. Case mix included general (n = 77), cardiac surgery (n = 18), cardiology (n = 13), ear-nose-and-throat surgery (n = 17), oncology (n = 8) and renal (n = 1). The indication for bronchoscopy was defined a priori according to one of four categories: suspected upper airway disease (n = 32); lower airway disease (n = 70); investigation of pulmonary disease (n = 25); and extubation failure (n = 21). Bronchoscopy was generally performed soon after PICU admission, at a median time of 1.5 days for the former three categories, and 4 days for extubation failure group. A positive yield from bronchoscopy (diagnosis that explained the clinical condition or influenced patient management) was present in 113 of 148 (76%) procedures, varying within groups from 44% (pulmonary disease) to 90% (extubation failure). Ten percent of patients developed a fall in oxygen saturations > 20% during the procedure and 17% required a bolus of at least 10 ml/kg of 0.9% saline for hypotension.

CONCLUSIONS

Critically ill patients with respiratory problems may benefit from a PICU-led bronchoscopy service as the yield for positive bronchoscopic finding is high, particularly for upper airway problems or extubation failure.

Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy in newborns with esophageal atresia: does it matter?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Despite surgical refinements, perioperative use of tracheobronchoscopy (TBS) as part of surgical approach to esophageal atresia (EA) is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of preoperative TBS in newborns with EA in preventing complications and improving diagnosis and surgical treatment.

METHODS

In the period ranging from 1997 to 2003, 62 patients with EA underwent preoperative TBS. The procedure was carried out with flexible bronchoscope maintaining spontaneous breathing. When a wide carinal fistula was found, this was mechanically occluded by Fogarty catheter and cannulated with rigid bronchoscopy. Type of EA, surgical procedure variations caused by TBS, and associated anomalies not easily detectable were recorded.

RESULTS

Before TBS, the Gross classification of the 62 patients was as follows: type A, 9 patients; type B, none; type C, 51 patients. At TBS, however, 3 of 9 type A patients had an unsuspected proximal fistula (type B). These 3 patients, plus the 2 with H-type fistula, were repaired through a cervical approach. In 4 patients, previously undetected malformations of the respiratory tree (2 aberrant right upper bronchus and 2 hypoplastic bronchi) were found at TBS. Carinal fistulas in 14 type C patients were occluded by Fogarty catheter to improve ventilation during repair. No complications were observed. Overall, TBS was clinically useful in 28 (45.2%) of 62 patients, including 15 (24.2%) of 62 infants in whom it was crucial in modifying the surgical approach.

CONCLUSION

Tracheobronchoscopy is a useful and safe procedure and should be recommended in tertiary centers for babies with EA before surgical repair.

How to enter the pediatric airway for bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND

Bronchoscopies are performed in childhood for diagnostic reasons (e.g. evaluation of stridor, unexplained cough, possible malformations) and therapeutic reasons (e.g. foreign body removal, management of the difficult airway).

METHODS

Various procedures of entering the pediatric airways are presented, based on an overview of the literature and the experience of the authors.

RESULTS

The advantages and disadvantages of direct fibreoptic bronchoscopy, bronchoscopy via face mask, via laryngeal mask airway, via tracheal tube, and for combined flexible and rigid bronchoscopy are discussed. In addition, practical aspects of bronchoscopy are considered, including local anesthesia, oxygen supplementation, monitoring, antibiotic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Although inspection of the pediatric airways has become a well-accepted routine procedure with a high diagnostic yield, and bronchoscopies are well tolerated, it is important that the most appropriate means of access to the airways is chosen according to the indications and the age of the child.

Bronchoscopy in paediatric intensive care

Bronchoscopy is a highly versatile technique in the context of intensive care and has many potentially valuable indications. Safety is of paramount importance and the risks in critically unstable patients are correspondingly greater than in more stable children. The main contraindication to bronchoscopy is if it will provide no useful information. The procedure is obviously more risky in children with severe hypoxia, uncontrolled bleeding diathesis, cardiac failure or severe pulmonary hypertension. Monitoring should include at least oxygen saturation, blood pressure (ideally by continuous, invasive monitoring) and preferably capnography. Indications for bronchoscopy in paediatric intensive care include endobronchial toilet, sometimes instilling recombinant human DNAase even in children who do not have cystic fibrosis; checking tube patency and position; assisting in a difficult intubation or tube change; achieving the selective intubation of a main bronchus; the diagnosis and management of ventilator-associated pneumonia or the ventilated, immunocompromised host; the assessment of lobar collapse or focal hyperinflation; airway stent assessment; assessment of stridor on extubation and the diagnosis of any associated disease. New iatrogenic complications are also likely to be discovered. The procedure is very safe if performed by experienced operators with back-up from doctors skilled in airway management and the monitoring of sick children.

Spontaneous tracheal and subglottic tears in neonates

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Spontaneous rupture of the trachea or subglottis as a complication of difficult delivery has not been reported in the United States literature. There have been a few cases reported in the European literature. The present report describes a series of newborns with this complication and discusses the signs and treatment options of this difficult, life-threatening problem.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

Newborns born between 1996 and 2001 who were treated for spontaneous subglottic or tracheal rupture at a tertiary care children's hospital neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed.

RESULTS

Four cases of spontaneous subglottic rupture were seen at the hospital. In three of the four cases the tracheas were intubated on an emergency basis after subcutaneous air was noted in the anterior aspect of the neck. In the fourth patient the trachea was not intubated until the subglottic tear was visualized intraoperatively. Two of the four patients died. One died without securing of an airway; the other died of complications of prolonged hypoxia. Eight cases from European literature of spontaneous neonatal subglottic and tracheal tears are reviewed and are compared with the cases presented in the current report.

CONCLUSIONS

Early detection of airway rupture by flexible endoscopy is essential for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Standard endotracheal intubation can exacerbate the problem and should be deferred if possible until direct airway visualization can be accomplished. Signs associated with tracheal tears include subcutaneous emphysema, respiratory distress, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum. These should lead to emergent consultation with otolaryngologists for examination and securing of the airway.

Pediatric bronchoscopy

Diagnostic flexible endoscopy for pediatric respiratory diseases is performed in many centers. Technical advances have resulted in performance of interventional bronchoscopies, and new diagnostic indications are being explored. Indications with documented clinical benefit include congenital or acquired progressive or unexplained airway obstruction. Pulmonary infections in immunodeficient children who do not respond to empirical antibiotic treatment may be diagnosed by bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The potential usefulness of bronchoscopy and BAL for managing chronic cough, wheeze, or selected cases with asthma or cystic fibrosis requires further study. The use of transbronchial biopsies (TBB) is established in pediatric lung transplantation. The role of TBB in the diagnosis of chronic interstitial lung disease in children remains to be determined. For a number of interventional applications, rigid endoscopy is required, and pediatric bronchoscopists should be trained in its use. Complications in pediatric bronchoscopy are rare, but severe nosocomial infection or overdosing with local anesthetics has occurred. The issues of quality control, video documentation, interobserver variability of findings, and educational standards will have to be addressed in the future as bronchoscopy use becomes less restricted to only large pediatric pulmonary units.

Inspiratory flow limitation in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

The objective of this study was to compare pulmonary function tests of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and asthma, and to evaluate children with BPD for evidence of upper airway obstruction. This is a case-control retrospective study of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of 11 children with BPD between 5 and 8 years of age who were followed by pediatric pulmonologists, and of 32 age- and height-matched children with asthma. The median forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were significantly lower in the BPD group (0.86 L, 0.79 L, 120 L/min) than in the asthmatic group (1.34 L, 1.21 L, 155 L/min; P = 0.002, P = 0.007, P = 0.004, respectively). Both groups were equally hyperinflated (median thoracic gas volume 155% of predicted values in the BPD compared to 152% predicted in the asthma group; P = 0.67), and both groups showed decreases in air-trapping after a bronchodilator. The ratios of forced expiratory flow at 50% of the FVC to forced inspiratory flow at 50% of the FVC (FEF50%/FIF50%) and FEV1 to PEF (FEV1/PEF) were used to assess upper airway obstruction and were higher in children with BPD than asthma (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.035, respectively). We conclude that pulmonary function of children with BPD who are still symptomatic after 5 years of age is different from age-matched children with asthma, and the children with BPD demonstrate significant inspiratory flow limitations.

Anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree in patients with esophageal atresia

To examine associated anatomic anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree and structural abnormalities of the trachea, and their clinical consequences, bronchoscopic examination and follow-up studies were performed in 32 patients with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) over a 5-year period. To evaluate structural abnormalities of trachea, the ratio of circumferential length of cartilaginous trachea to circumferential length of membranous trachea (C:M ratio) was determined before surgical repair. In patients examined before and after surgical repair, the motion of the posterior tracheal wall was observed under spontaneous respiration. Fifteen of the 32 patients (47%) had abnormalities of the tracheobronchial tree such as ectopic right upper bronchus (12), congenital bronchial stenosis (4), and absence of the right upper bronchus (2). The C:M ratio of the 27 patients with EA (2.0 +/- 0.6) was significantly lower than that of controls (3.0 +/- 0.3); the ratio for the 10 cases with ectopic right upper bronchus (1.7 +/- 0.4) was significantly lower than that of other cases (2.2 +/- 0.5). The C:M ratio for the 12 patients who had atelectasis (1.7 +/- 0.3) was significantly lower than that of the 15 who did not have atelectasis (2.2 +/- 0.6). Of 24 infants, nine had bulging of the posterior tracheal wall synchronized with expiration, and their C:M ratio (1.8 +/- 0.2) was significantly lower than that of the 15 patients without bulging (2.2 +/- 0.6). These data show an association between anatomic anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree and structural abnormalities of the trachea in patients with EA. Because these abnormalities may be related to the occurrence of respiratory disorders such as tracheomalacia and atelectasis, early bronchoscopic examination, including measurement of the C:M ratio and observation of the motion of the posterior tracheal wall under spontaneous respiration, may be useful in the care of patients with EA.

Update on pediatric flexible bronchoscopy

Technological advances in flexible bronchoscopy have expanded the clinician's ability to diagnose and treat pulmonary disease in children. During the neonatal period, flexible bronchoscopy has contributed to the understanding of the incidence and factors responsible for acquired airway lesions. The ability to selectively collect lower airway secretions has contributed to the care of immunocompromised patients with new pulmonary infiltrates. New therapies may use the flexible bronchoscope to specifically target lower airway tissues of interest. Because of the breadth of both current and future applications, most pediatricians will require a working familiarity with the benefits of flexible bronchoscopy in their patients.

Review--neonatal bronchoscopy

Neonatologists are increasingly exploring the airways with rigid and flexible bronchoscopes. Each instrument has particular advantages; the rigid endoscope mainly for therapy, including balloon dilatation of acquired strictures, and the fibrescope mainly for inspection of the airway for diagnostic purposes. Before using either technique, it is essential to ensure that the information will be really useful and cannot be obtained using less invasive methods.

Therapeutic bronchoscopy in ventilated neonates

Images

Pediatric fiberoptic video bronchoscopy: the use of computer interfacing

Conventional video-recordings of pediatric bronchoscopic procedures are routinely performed in many centers. The limitations of conventional video-recordings include an inability to concurrently compare serially recorded images, lack of color fidelity of the displayed image, difficulty in image retrieval of archived video, and the inability to subject the image to mathematical analysis. We describe a computer interface which addresses each of these limitations.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation of acquired airway stenosis in newborn infants: a promising treatment

Acquired stenosis of the trachea or bronchus in newborn infants is a possible complication of perinatal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Although the exact pathophysiology is unknown, stenosis formation seems to be initiated by pressure necrosis. Prematurity is thought to be an important risk factor for acquired airway stenosis. Management of stenotic lesions may be conservative, surgical, or endoscopic. Four patients were treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation with satisfactory results. Endoscopic balloon dilatation is the method of choice in most newborn infants with acquired bronchial or tracheal stenosis.

Ultrathin flexible bronchoscopy in neonatal intensive care units

Thirty seven flexible bronchoscopies were performed in 33 infants in a neonatal intensive care unit, using a 2.2 mm flexible ultrathin bronchoscope. Twenty eight procedures were performed via an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy and nine in spontaneously breathing infants. Indications for endoscopy included persistent atelectasis and/or emphysema (n = 21), unexplained acute respiratory distress (n = 10), stridor (n = 3), assessment of congenital abnormalities of the tracheobronchial tree (n = 2), and follow up of an endobronchial granuloma during the course of corticosteroid treatment (n = 1). Abnormal airway dynamics and/or abnormal structure were seen in 23 of 37 cases. In 54% of the procedures, the results of bronchoscopy had a direct effect on further management. The procedure was well tolerated and completed in less than two minutes. Our results suggest that the ultrathin flexible bronchoscope improves airway exploration and the understanding of respiratory disorders during the first months of life, particularly in ventilated infants.