Pre-clinical testing of single use flexible bronchoscopes: clinician preference based on physical characteristics and level of experience

Abstract

Single use flexible bronchoscopes (SUFBs) have come to the forefront in the COVID-19 pandemic to minimise risk of infectious transmission as well as carry out bedside procedures for critically unwell patients. Multiple companies have released SUFBs with varying technical metrics. We hypothesised that clinician bronchoscope preference varies depending on physical characteristics and level of experience. 39 participants including physicians, surgeons and anaesthetists with a range of expertise from first time endoscopists to consultants took part in a trial of all available SUFBs (The Surgical Company (TSC) Broncoflex©, Boston Scientific©, Ambu©, Vathin©, Pentax© prototype scope). Likert scales were used to evaluate scope parameters including ergonomics, comfort and ease of procedures. Participant parameters were collected including height, gender and hand size. TSC Broncoflex© was the preferred scope overall with ratings of 82% for ergonomics and 83% for usage. Female participants preferred Pentax (p=0.04); male participants preferred TSC (p=0.04). Participants with small or medium glove size preferred Pentax (p=0.02) while those with large glove size ranked Vathin and TSC highest. Doctors with >10 years experience preferred Pentax (p=0.04). Gender, hand size and previous experience influenced scope preference. These factors should be considered in future scope development.