Rigid bronchoscopy

Abstract

Rigid bronchoscopy is a powerful tool for managing central airway pathology. The large working barrel of the scope allows the operator to simultaneously control the airway while performing diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. The rigid bronchoscope can accommodate stents, large tools, and large-bore suction critical assets when managing central airway pathology including tumors, foreign bodies, and hemoptysis. Flexible bronchoscopy has become ubiquitous on the pulmonary landscape. For todayâ€"s patient with complex airway pathology, the debate is not flexible vs. rigid bronchoscopy but rather implementation of the appropriate tool for the specific problem at hand.