What is a rigid bronchoscopy?

Rigid Bronchoscopy is a procedure used to gain access to the patient’s airway and allows the passage of larger airway instruments and cameras to diagnose and treat airway disease. This form of bronchoscopy is done by highly trained specialists.

Why is a rigid bronchoscopy preferred?

Rigid bronchoscopy can be invaluable and life-saving in cases of severe obstruction because the bronchoscope can be pushed past the obstruction. It is unsurpassed in evaluation, control, and therapeutic manipulation of the tracheobronchial tree.

How is rigid bronchoscopy done?

A bronchoscope is a tube with a camera. Your doctor will place it in your mouth or nose and move it down your throat and trachea (windpipe) into your airways. During your rigid bronchoscopy, your doctor can: Control any bleeding you have.

What does a rigid bronchoscope look like?

A rigid bronchoscope is a straight tube. It’s only used to view the larger airways. It may be used within the bronchi to: Remove a large amount of secretions or blood.

What is the ideal position for bronchoscopy?

Conclusions: We recommend performing the procedure while the patient is in a supine position. We also recommend routine prophylactic low-flow supplemental oxygen in all patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

What are the contraindications of bronchoscopy?

Contraindications. Transbronchial biopsy should be done with caution in patients with uremia, superior vena cava obstruction, or pulmonary hypertension because of increased risk of bleeding. Inspection of the airways is safe in these patients, however.

What is the most common indication for the use of bronchoscopy?

Common reasons for needing bronchoscopy are a persistent cough, infection or something unusual seen on a chest X-ray or other test. Bronchoscopy can also be used to obtain samples of mucus or tissue, to remove foreign bodies or other blockages from the airways or lungs, or to provide treatment for lung problems.

When would you use a rigid bronchoscope?

Rigid bronchoscopy is most commonly used to manage patients who have obstruction of either their trachea or a proximal bronchus, since the rigid bronchoscope’s large lumen facilitates suctioning and the removal of debris, or for interventional procedures such as insertion of airway stents [1,2].

What is bronchoscope used for?

A light and a small camera on the bronchoscope allow the doctor to look inside the lungs’ airways. Bronchoscopy is a procedure that lets doctors look at your lungs and air passages. It’s usually performed by a doctor who specializes in lung disorders (a pulmonologist).

What is the most common complication during a bronchoscopy?

The primary risk with bronchoscopy is bleeding from the site of the biopsy, but this occurs in less than 1% of patients. Other rare complications include lung collapse, hoarseness, sore nose or throat.

What are indications for bronchoscopy?

Diagnostic Indications. The most frequent diagnostic indications for bronchoscopy include cough, hemoptysis, radiologic changes suggestive of tumor, bronchial obstruction, atelectasis and localized wheezing. These conditions may be produced by inflammatory processes, tumor, or by foreign bodies.