The value of early fibreoptic bronchoscopy after aspiration of gastric contents

Abstract

Fibreoptic bronchotcopy was undertaken 26 patients upon hospital admission, to assess if they were suffering from pulmonary lesions subsequent to the aspiration of gastric contents. In 24 of these patients erythematous lesions were observed (sensitivity of the procedure: 92.3%), mainly on the carina. Distal to the carina, the lesions were observed less frequently. The procedure caused no complications in any of the patients studied. © 1983 The Macmillan Press Ltd.