The Role of Bronchoscopy in Clinical Medicine and Surgery

¹ The department of Broncho-Esophagology, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, New York.

In this brief review of the role of bronchoscopy in clinical medicine and surgery, the author has attempted to emphasize the following facts:

1) Aside from the well-known procedure for the removal of aspirated foreign bodies, bronchoscopy has come to play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs.

2) There are many conditions of the lower respiratory tract that often remain undiagnosed because of lack of bronchoscopic study.

3) In the diagnosis of primary carcinoma of the lung, bronchoscopic examination is by far the most important diagnostic procedure available.

4) Close cooperation between the internist, radiologist, and bronchoscopist will in many instances facilitate the diagnosis of obscure conditions of the lung.

5) Many suppurative conditions of the lungs if diagnosed early, will respond to bronchoscopic and medical management.

6) Bronchoscopy is of aid in the removal of bronchial obstruction, thus preventing the development of atelectasis and subsequent pulmonary destruction.

7) Bronchoscopy is of aid to the thoracic surgeon in the localization of pulmonary lesions.