ABSTRACT
Bronchoscopic examination of the pediatric airway may be performed electively for the diagnosis and/or management of airway disease. While flexible bronchoscopy may be regarded as less invasive, rigid bronchoscopy remains the most versatile method of airway assessment and is where this chapter will focus. Urgent rigid bronchoscopy may be required in the case of foreign body aspiration and, therefore, a good understanding of bronchoscopic technique is necessary for the pediatric surgeon. Rarely, the ventilating bronchoscope may be useful in securing the difficult airway.
