Abstract

PARAMO, Rafael et al. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and tracheotomy. Rev. Inst. Nal. Enf. Resp. Mex. [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.1, pp.15-20. ISSN 0187-7585.

Tracheostomy preserves the patency of the airway. Direct exploration through the tracheal cannula or the tracheostoma by fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) allows a view of the conditions of the tracheal mucosa above and below the tracheostoma. Different procedures may be performed thru this approach. Objective: To evaluate the anatomic conditions of the tracheal mucosa by FOB in cases with tracheotomy cannula, and the usefulness of this approach. Material and methods: FOB was performed in 38 patients with tracheotomy. Results: Aspiration of secretions, bronchial lavage with aspiration and bacteriological sampling were the most frequent indications. The conditions of the mucosa were evaluated in all, including eight cases with airway stenosis, both before and after surgical reconstruction. Mucosal inflammation, tracheal anomalies, vocal cords and subglottic lesions were found. Conclusions: FOB trough the cannula or the tracheostoma allows for preoperatory evaluation of the tracheal mucosa. Careful endoscopic exploration above and below the tracheotomy cannula and the tracheostoma may show alterations of the mucosa in cases of airway stenosis both before and after surgical procedures.

Keywords : Tracheostomy; fiberoptic bronchoscopy; flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope; tracheal stenosis.