Fiberoptic Bronchoscope Uses in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Bronchoscopy was initially developed in 1895 for the purpose of removing foreign bodies from the main stem bronchi. Gustav Killian removed a piece of bone from the right main-stem bronchus of a 36-year-old man in 1897. Shigeto Ikeda introduced flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy for clinical use in 1968. The technique became available in the United States in1972.Since that time, fiberoptic bronchoscopy has become the method of choice for diagnosing a wide variety of indeterminate lung lesion. Aims: This essay aims to review and discuss the uses of the fiberoptic bronchoscope in Anesthesia and the ICU, and outline the steps that should be taken to prepare for this procedure, associated complications and contraindications. Conclusion: Endotracheal intubation is a procedure whereby a tube is inserted into the trachea to warrant and maintain adequate ventilation with good respiratory gas exchange in patients who undergo anesthesia for surgery or require invasive mechanical ventilation. Since 1968 the fiberoptic bronchoscope was considered as an advanced device to intubate patients with difficult airway having surgery, fiberoptic assisted tracheal intubation. Patients who have uremia or on immunosuppression therapy also are considered high-risk. Some potential complications of bronchoscopy are: infection, pneumothorax, medication reactions, bronchospasm, hemorrhage, and respiratory or cardiac arrest. Keywords: Fiberoptic Bronchoscope, Anesthesia, Intensive Care Unit