Rigid bronchoscopy and jet ventilation in an extremely low birthweight infant

J Formos Med Assoc. 1996 Dec;95(12):937-9.

Abstract

Until recently, rigid bronchoscopy was considered too risky for premature infants. We report a 658 g infant with life-threatening mediastinal shift due to right pulmonary atelectasis. Rigid bronchoscopy revealed tenacious mucous plugs in the right main bronchus. The collapsed lung was successfully reinflated after bronchial lavage with a rigid bronchoscope, with the help of intermittent high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV). The infant's mediastinal shift was reversed and the vital signs became stable. In our experience, rigid bronchoscopy combined with HFJV is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for very small premature infants.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage
  • Bronchoscopy*
  • Female
  • High-Frequency Jet Ventilation*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Mediastinal Diseases / etiology
  • Mediastinal Diseases / therapy*
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / complications
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / therapy*