A multicenter survey of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy in western China

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the current use of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy (PFB) in western China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in western China between January 1, 2018 to December 30, 2018. Fifty-four centers were invited to answer a questionnaire for seeking information about performance of PFB. The data collected were analyzed to investigate the current status of western China, and hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify developmental level of PFB of cities. RESULTS: Forty-seven centers were included in analysis. A total of 22,585 flexible bronchoscopies were carried out in the participating centers from January 1, 2018 to December 30, 2018. Eight centers (17.0%) performed more than 1,000 pediatric flexible bronchoscopies for children, but 20 centers (42.6%) performed less than 100. The median proportion of systematic and professional trained physicians in a single team was 50%, and the pooled rate was 59% (95% CI, 47–70%). Only 10, 8 and 11 centers performed balloon dilatation, thermal ablation and cryoablation, respectively. Obvious cough was the most frequent complication after the PFB procedure, the pooled rate is 24% (95% CI, 18–29%). No one died during and after the PFB procedure. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the development of PBF in western China varies, and Chongqing might be the most developed area in PFB use in western China. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible bronchoscopy in children is now a mature and safe procedure, while the development of PFB varies in western China, especially for the advanced bronchoscopic intervention.