History of the rigid bronchoscope

Abstract

Three inventions were the prerequisites for the development of bronchoscopy, which all came about in the second half of the nineteenth century: first, the development of instruments for inspection of the upper digestive and respiratory tract; second, suitable light sources, namely, the development of electrical illumination; and third, the detection of local anesthesia. Gustav Killian of Freiburg University in Germany combined these techniques and performed the first bronchoscopy in 1897 for the removal of a foreign body from the bronchial system. After the first experience with the new technique he taught hundreds of physicians its application, and the method rapidly spread worldwide. During his lifetime he improved instruments and found new applications. Founders of schools in many countries introduced further technologies. For some time after the invention of flexible bronchoscopes, rigid bronchoscopy experienced a significant temporary decline, but with the increasing number of interventions, rigid bronchoscopy gained new interest.