Leaflet Details
| Title | Paediatric Airway Endoscopy |
| Department | ENT |
| Author(s) | Dr Kiran Varad |
| Review Date | July 2023 |
| Next Review | July 2025 |
| Download | A5 Booklet PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
What is a paediatric airway endoscopy?
A paediatric airway endoscopy is also known as an MLB (abbreviation for ‘microlaryngotracheobronchoscopy’).
An MLB endoscopic procedure performed whilst your child is asleep with a general anaesthetic. It allows us to assess your child’s upper airway (including the voice box and windpipe).
Why does my child need an airway endoscopy?
The decision to have an airway endoscopy will usually be if your child has any of the following issues:
- Noisy breathing.
- Recurrent croup.
- Change in their voice.
- Issues with swallowing (aspiration).
During the procedure we will have a look at your child’s voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and the two tubes the wind pipe divides into prior to entering the lungs (bronchi). [See Figure 1].
Whilst performing this investigation the surgeon is able to diagnose the problem. If further treatment is required your child may require a further endoscopy / intervention.
Figure 1: Areas we look at in an MLB1
Is there an alternative to MLB?
The ENT doctor will have assessed your child’s case, sometimes there may be an option to watch and wait to see if the symptoms improve with time. However, if the symptoms are severe/persistent an MLB would be suggested.
On the day of the MLB
What time will my child have their operation?
Your child will usually have the operation in the morning.
What time should I bring my child to the ward?
Our bookings team will have sent a letter providing information on the date of the child’s operation and the time you need to come to hospital. You will usually need to arrive on Oak Ward at 7:30am.
Your child will have been given fasting instructions (which will usually be no food before 02:30am [this includes milk] and no water from 06:30am).
How long will the operation take?
The procedure takes 20-30 minutes however your child will usually be away from the ward for 1-2 hours.
What happens during the airway endoscopy?
Your child will be gently put to sleep with a general anaesthetic.
The ENT surgeon will carefully assess your child’s airway with a rigid scope. Photos will be taken of different parts of your child’s airway.
What are the risks of the operation?
It is common for your child to have a slight sore throat / hoarse voice.
Rarely your child’s teeth may be damaged (particularly with loose milk teeth). Your child’s noisy breathing may sometimes increase in severity after the operation.
Rarely your child may require an overnight stay due to noisy breathing.
Very rarely your child may require intubation (breathing pipe kept in the airway) and transferal to another hospital (usually in London) for further treatment.
After the operation
Will I be there when my child wakes up?
The theatre escort that takes you and your child to the anaesthetic room will tell you how you will be contacted so that you can be with your child once their surgery is finished.
Will my child have any pain?
Your child may have a slightly sore throat after the operation, but this is usually controlled with pain killers.
When can my child have something to eat or drink?
Your child cannot eat or drink for 3 hours after the operation.
When can my child go home?
Most children will go home on the same day within 6-8 hours providing they are well.
How do I manage my child at home?
Most children will be well but with a slightly sore throat which may require simple pain killers (paracetamol / ibuprofen for a few days). Occasionally children may develop a croup like cough at home (and rarely a worsening of breathing). If there is any concern regarding your child’s breathing, please bring them back to your local accident and emergency.
When can my child go back to school or nursery?
Most children can go back to school after a minimum of 2-3 days (or occasionally up to 7 days). Your surgeon will have a discussion with you regarding this.
Will I see the ENT team again?
This depends on the findings of the endoscopy. Most children will have a follow up locally. Some children may be referred to a hospital in London for further treatment if there are any findings that that require treatment.
Further Contact Details
In an emergency (such as bleeding or difficulty breathing) please dial 999 for an ambulance that will either take you to St. Peter’s Hospital or the Royal Surrey County Hospital.
For any other queries or concerns, please see below contact numbers:
- Oak Ward, St. Peter’s Hospital: 01932 722712
- Royal Surrey County Hospital: 01483 571122
References
1. Image modified from: Smart Servier Medical Art (2024)
https://smart.servier.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Conducting-Zone.png
