title: Rigid bronchoscopy.
abstract: Complex airway diseases represent a therapeutic challenge and require multidisciplinary input. Surgery remains the definitive modality. Minimally invasive endobronchial techniques have resulted in symptom control and long-term improvements. The rigid bronchoscope remains the method of choice for the treatment of both benign and malignant central airway obstruction. However, it has limited use if lesions are located in the upper lobes or lung periphery, but significant technological advances allow for effective treatments using the flexible bronchoscope. Rigid and flexible bronchoscopes should be seen as complementary procedures and most cases require the use of both modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Oncology, Pleural Diseases and Interventional Pulmonology, North University Hospital, Chemin des Bourrely, Marseille 13015, France. herve.dutau@mail.ap-hm.fr
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dutau
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vandemoortele
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Breen
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Airway obstruction; Airway stenosis; Airway stenting; Flexible bronchoscopy; Interventional bronchoscopy; Interventional pulmonology; Rigid bronchoscopy