Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy (mirroring the bronchi) is a medical examination and treatment procedures. In this case, an endoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose and advanced by the trachea into the bronchi of the lungs. For the first time succeeded in 1897 the German otolaryngologist Gustav Killian, view the trachea with an optical device and to remove a foreign body. The Japanese Shigeto Ikeda (1925-2001) presented in 1966 before a first flexible bronchoscope.

Rigid bronchoscopy

It is used primarily

  • The diagnosis of lung tumors,
  • The removal of foreign bodies,
  • The removal of hemangiomas ( strawberry mark ) with the help of laser equipment from the trachea,
  • The removal of sample material ( biopsy),
  • Performing a bronchoalveolar lavage or a smear and
  • In the therapeutic range of the insertion of a stent into the trachea.

The rigid bronchoscopy is performed under general anesthesia. The risk of injury is higher than that of the flexible bronchoscopy.

Flexible bronchoscopy

In the daily routine flexible bronchoscopy has largely replaced the rigid bronchoscopy today. Apart from a few special applications, all tasks of rigid bronchoscopy with flexible instruments ( no anesthesia ) can be achieved faster, more convenient and patient friendly. Flexible bronchoscopes today only have a diameter of two to three millimeters and can therefore also be used in very young children. They can be inserted deeper than a rigid bronchoscope, have a lower risk of injury and the patient can be awake or lightly sedated.

  • Diagnostic use in Search for lung tumors
  • Sample of the material, biopsy, realization of a bronchial lavage, sampling for microbiological analysis on germs (bacteria, fungi, parasites).
  • Planning for local treatment of a tumor, local radiotherapy
  • Diagnosis of foreign bodies, with their removal always still makes the additional use of rigid instruments needed.
  • Clarification of narrowing of the airways
  • Determination of reducing ventilation of the lung ( atelectasis ), eg after major surgery
  • Therapeutic use Flushing and aspiration of a Schleimpfropfs from the bronchi, also with horizontal ventilation hose (tube ), see also: bronchoalveolar lavage
  • Correction of the position of the ventilator tubing
  • Fiberoptic intubation or support in Punktionstracheotomie
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