title: Microdebrider bronchoscopy: a new tool for the interventional bronchoscopist.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report our experience with a new airway tool, the microdebrider, in treating central airway obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 2002 to April 2004, 23 patients undergoing treatment of central airway obstruction were managed with the microdebrider. All procedures were done under general anesthesia with either a rigid bronchoscope (19 patients) or a suspension laryngoscope (4 patients). The microdebrider was used in an oscillating mode with rotation speeds of 1,000 to 3,000 rpm to resect obstructing tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients (61%) had tracheal granulation tissue from prior intubation or tracheostomy, 6 (26%) had idiopathic subglottic stenosis, and 3 (26%) had malignant disease. Obstructing lesions were rapidly removed in all patients with interventions lasting between 2 and 15 minutes. There were no procedure-related complications. No patients required reoperation for airway obstruction in follow-up ranging from 1 to 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microdebrider bronchoscopy is a new technique that allows for precise, rapid, and safe removal of lesions obstructing the central airways. Complications of thermal modalities such as airway injury, tracheoesophageal fistulas, and airway fires can be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lunn
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashiku
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Thurer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feller-Kopman
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003646:Debridement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome