Role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in patients with respiratory complications in Multispeciality Intensive Care Units

Patients with respiratory complications from various speciality intensive care units were enrolled. After clinical and radiological evaluation, if conservative management fails, bronchoscopic intervention was considered. Bronchoscopy was performed according to British Thoracic Society guidelines after informed consent. Swivel-T-Tube adapter was used for the patients in mechanical ventilation. Data such as chest radiograph, arterial blood gas, Bacterial culture of tracheal and BAL secretions between before and after brochcoscopy (6 & 24 hrs) were analysed using standard SPSS software. Since its introduction by Ikeda, role of flexible bronchoscopy has been expanding and plays a key in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in the intensive care units. In our study contribution of bronchoscopy played a vital role in therapeutic outcome 73%(n=46) and diagnostic yield in 30.2%(n=19). Patients had good response to bronchoscopy when intervened within 5 days of admission in ICU. No life threatening complications were encountered; hence bronchoscopy is safe in critically ill patients, if basic precautions are taken