Pre- and Para-Medications in Bronchoscopy The Concept of "Broncho-Softening"

¹ Centre de Phtisiologie et de Pneumologie de l'Hopital Beaujon.

With a view to improving the technique and, consequently, the results of bronchial endoscopy, the authors have systematically employed, as premedication, diethazine combined with atropine; and in some cases, an anesthetic steroid (P 55). A certain "broncho-softening effect" is obtained with the first drug; a tranquilizing effect, accompanied by a veritable glottal gaping, with the second.

But the broncho-softening effect is, first and foremost, linked with paramedication, which consists of a small dose of a synthetic curare-like compound, diiodide of succinylcholine, the action of which is potentiated by the addition of an equally small dose of lignocaine.

The concept of "broncho-softening" under the influence of succinylcholine, in particular, permits an extension of the field of exploration of the bronchoscope, revealing sometimes a lesion which would be inaccessible with standard technique, and even allowing an otherwise impracticable biopsy.