OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary atelectasis in children.

METHODTotally 104 patients with pulmonary atelectasis, who were admitted to this department, received flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy from January 2006 to May 2010, were enrolled in a retrospective analysis.

RESULTThe analysis on causes of pulmonary atelectasis showed that 76 cases (73%) of the 104 patients had sputum obstructions, which was the main cause of atelectasis. Thirteen cases (13%) had bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 9 cases among these were infants. Twelve cases (12%) had foreign body aspiration, 8 cases among these were under the age of 3-year. After flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, 100 cases got expansion of pulmonary atelectasis. Sixty-five of the sputum obstruction cases got atelectasis reexpansion after one time of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Eight of the sputum obstruction cases got atelectasis reexpansion after two times of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Two of the sputum obstruction cases got atelectasis reexpansion after three times of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The rate of atelectasis reexpansion after one time of alveolus lavement was higher in the cases whose courses of disease were under 3 weeks, than in the cases whose courses of disease were beyond 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONEtiology of pulmonary atelectasis varied at different age. The morbidity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was high in infants. Foreign body aspiration was the common cause of pulmonary atelectasis in children from 1 to 3-year of age. Sputum obstruction was the main cause of pulmonary atelectasis in over 3-year-old children. Most cases got atelectasis reexpansion after alveolar lavage. The patients who had shorter course of disease might have higher rate of atelectasis reexpansion after alveolar lavage once. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary atelectasis.