The Addition of an Air/Water Button to a Flexible Bronchoscope (Provided with a Suction Button) for Use as a Slim Operative Panendoscope

Abstract

Thin-caliber (4.9 and 6.3 mm) flexible bronchoscopes already provided with a suction button have been modified by adding an air/water button for the control of air insufflation and water irrigation; the channel used is the biopsy-suction one. With the aid of this instrument, several pathologies can be studied and treated, under adverse conditions such as esophageal or recto-sigmoidal stenosis, hematuria in polytraumatic patients, residual stones in patients carrying a T-tube, acute respiratory obstructions, etc.