Category
Endoscopy
Typical Use
Visualize and intervene in the airways.
Description
A flexible or rigid endoscopic instrument used to visualize the tracheobronchial tree, obtain diagnostic samples, remove foreign bodies, and perform therapeutic interventions such as stent placement or laser ablation. Flexible bronchoscopes are commonly used at the bedside and in operating rooms for diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsy, and airway inspection, while rigid bronchoscopes provide a larger working channel for complex airway procedures. Bronchoscopy requires sedation or general anesthesia, sterile technique, and skilled operators to minimize complications such as bleeding, hypoxia, and bronchospasm. Postprocedure monitoring and specimen handling for microbiology or pathology are integral to diagnostic yield and patient safety.