Rigid bronchoscopy is a procedure used to gain access to the patient's airway, thus allowing the passage of larger instruments and cameras to diagnose and treat conditions of that area.
It gives the pulmonologist better access to the airway. In addition, airway devices, as well as instruments, can be introduced through the rigid device. Bronchoscopy makes it possible to successfully diagnose infections, cancers, inflammatory conditions, sarcoidosis and lymphoma, among others. It can be used to treat airway obstructions, tracheal stenoses, airway cancers, bleeding, or even to remove aspirated or foreign objects.
Throughout rigid bronchoscopy, patients always require general anesthesia. Ventilation, on the other hand, can be carried out using the rigid bronchoscope.
The benefits of performing this technique are many and varied, but two main ones stand out: