High-risk bronchoscopy.
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy may be performed in patients with acute respiratory distress after thoracic surgical procedures as a measure to avoid intubation and subsequent positive-pressure ventilation in a patient with mucous impaction or as a method of intubating in a patient with a difficult airway. We describe the indications, the technique, and the potential complications.
Flores
R M
RM
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Sugarbaker
D J
DJ
D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy