Adenotonsillectomy, Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in the
Management of Preschool Children with Severe Asthma
Abstract
Objective: The potential benefit of a combined adenotonsillectomy and
bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (TA-B-BAL) in preschool
children with asthma has been debated in the literature. We aimed to
describe the clinical course of preschool children with severe asthma
undergoing this combined procedure. Study Design: This is a
retrospective case-control study. Patient Selection: Preschool patients
diagnosed with severe asthma who underwent TA-B-BAL treatment between
2012 and 2019 were included as cases. Controls were age and sex matched
patients receiving standard asthma care. Methodology: A retrospective
patient chart review was conducted. Data on demographics, clinical
characteristics, medication use, virology and microbiology from
bronchoalveolar lavage, and asthma control questionnaires were
collected. Cases and controls were compared with t-tests and regression
analysis. Results: Eighteen preschool subjects (mean age 3.19±1.13
years) in the case group were matched to eighteen control subjects
receiving standard care. A Poisson mixed effects regression analysis
revealed reduced risk of oral corticosteroid use (RR 0.39, 95%CI 0.18,
0.83, p=0.014), reduced emergency department visits (RR 0.36, 95%CI
0.17, 0.75, p=0.01) and reduced risk of asthma exacerbations (RR 0.58,
95%CI 0.28, 1.20, p=0.14) in cases compared to controls. Ten patients
experienced clinically meaningful improvements in TRACK scores after the
procedure (p<0.001). Conclusion: This pilot study provides
early evidence that preschool children with severe asthma may benefit
from combined adenotonsillectomy and bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar
lavage procedure. The procedure is a useful adjunct for reduction of
medication use and hospital visits for preschool age patients with
severe asthma.