Rigid Bronchoscopic Intervention Research Articles

Rigid bronchoscopic intervention for malignant central airway obstruction: A narrative review

As the overall survival of patients with cancer has increased over the past decade, the need for bronchoscopic intervention to resolve malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO) has correspondingly increased. The response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is slow and cannot be guaranteed to adequately address MCAO. Surgery is often impossible because of the extent of disease or the poor performance status of patients. Bronchoscopic intervention results in immediate therapeutic response and is considered safe. Accordingly, many interventional pulmonologists and oncologists are interested in this field, but it is challenging and detailed techniques are not properly standardized, which are barriers to entry into this field. This review aimed to explore the indications and clinical applications of bronchoscopic intervention for patients with MCAO using previously reported data and representative cases from our pioneering experiences. In particular, we focused on rigid bronchoscopy for MCAO, excluding procedures for fistulas or radiation-induced bronchitis stenosis that occurred secondary to anti-cancer treatment.

Safety of Rigid Bronchoscopy for Therapeutic Intervention at the Intensive Care Unit Bedside.

Background and Objective: Although rigid bronchoscopy is generally performed in the operating room (OR), the intervention is sometimes emergently required at the intensive care unit (ICU) bedside. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of rigid bronchoscopy at the ICU bedside. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy while in the ICU from January 2014 to December 2020. According to the location of rigid bronchoscopic intervention, patients were classified into the ICU group (n = 171, cases emergently performed at the ICU bedside without anesthesiologists) and the OR group (n = 165, cases electively performed in the OR with anesthesiologists). The risk of intra- and post-procedural complications in the ICU group was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, with the OR group as the reference category. Results: Of 336 patients, 175 (52.1%) were moribund and survival was not expected without intervention, and 170 (50.6%) received invasive respiratory support before the intervention. The most common reasons for intervention were post-intubation tracheal stenosis (39.3%) and malignant airway obstruction (34.5%). Although the overall rate of intra-procedural complications did not differ between the two groups (86.0% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.188), post-procedural complications were more frequent in the ICU group than in the OR group (24.0% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.005). Severe complications requiring unexpected invasive management occurred only post-procedurally and were more common in the ICU group (10.5% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.052). In the fully adjusted model, the ICU group had increased odds for severe post-procedural complications, but statistical significance was not observed (odds ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-8.88; p = 0.144). Conclusions: Although general anesthesia is generally considered the gold standard for rigid bronchoscopy, our findings indicate that rigid bronchoscopy may be safely performed at the ICU bedside in selective cases of emergency. Moreover, adequate patient selection and close post-procedural monitoring are required to prevent severe complications.

The Role of Rigid Bronchoscopic Intervention for Bronchial Carcinoid.

Bronchial carcinoid is a rare malignant tumor that is categorized as a typical carcinoid or atypical carcinoid. Many institutions use flexible bronchoscopy for diagnosis. However, due to the hemorrhagic nature of the tumor, the amount of specimen obtained is often small, making it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. The use of rigid bronchoscopy may not only contribute to obtaining a diagnosis but also be beneficial in the treatment plan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rigid bronchoscopic interventions for the diagnosis and treatment of bronchial carcinoids. All patients with bronchial carcinoids who underwent rigid bronchoscopic intervention under general anesthesia at our institution between June 2006 and August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Eight patients [3 men and 5 women; median age, 71 years (range 45-82 years)] were eligible for the analysis. None of the cases had accurate subtyping preoperatively before intervention. In contrast, all cases were diagnosed as carcinoid with subtypes (5 patients had typical carcinoid and 3 had atypical carcinoid) following rigid bronchoscopic intervention. All respiratory symptoms improved immediately after the procedure. One instance of bleeding occurred, and was easily controlled by argon plasma coagulation and intraluminal administration of epinephrine under flexible and rigid bronchoscopy. Four patients (3 with typical carcinoid and 1 with atypical carcinoid) underwent radical surgery sequentially, and no recurrences were observed. We conclude that rigid bronchoscopic intervention is safe and effective for accurate diagnosis and improvement of respiratory symptoms in patients with bronchial carcinoids.

Airway complications after lung transplantation: benefit of a conservative bronchoscopy strategy.

BackgroundAfter lung transplantation (LT), between 2% and 25% of bronchial anastomoses develop complications requiring therapeutic intervention. The status of healing of both bronchial anastomoses and downhill airways are well described by the French consensual MDS standardized grading system (Macroscopic, Diameter, Suture). We analyzed risks factors for airway complications (AC) after transplantation and the way we managed them. We report here our challenging method of early rigid bronchoscopic intervention with airway stenting on bronchial healing.MethodsAll single center consecutives LTs were retrospectively analyzed between 2010–2016. Patient-level data (demographic, peri-operative data) and anastomosis-level data (surgical parameters, bronchoscopy findings) were monitored. The incidence and contributive factors of ACs are reported. We also reported modalities of the conservative treatment and outcome.ResultsA total of 121 LTs were performed, 39 single-lung and 82 bilateral sequential LT. Main indication for LT were cystic fibrosis (45%) and emphysema (25%) and 58 were male patients (n=70). After a waiting period of healing, 28 patients presented AC on 41 anastomoses (prevalence: 23%). A multivariate analysis found as contributive factors of ACs, post-operative infection by Aspergillus [odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–6.75; P=0.033] at the patient level, and at the anastomosis level, emphysema (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.02–5.6; P=0.045), early dehiscence (OR 11.2, 95% CI: 1.7–76; P=0.01) and cold ischemia time >264 min (OR 2.45, 95% CI: 1.08–5.6; P=0.03). All the 41 ACs were managed conservatively with rigid bronchoscopy (range, 1–10), 41 stents (21 in silicone and 20 fully-covered Silicone Expandable Metallic Stents) without major complication. Two AC were still under regular bronchoscopic care and silicone stenting for long left bronchus reason. No surgical intervention was needed. The 2-years overall survival rate where not different between AC group and controls, respectively 85% and 81%.ConclusionsAirway healing after transplantation remains a scalable process and the French consensual MDS classification helped us for therapeutic decisions. Rigid bronchoscopy and safety use of current stenting devices may have the pivotal role in the conservative management of ACs, avoiding perilous situation of surgery for AC. Despite a high rate of AC, their favorable evolution may be explained by the cautious care of airway healing and maybe by the use of the Celsior antioxidant solution.

Rigid bronchoscopic intervention for endobronchial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma is one of the major endobronchial metastases, and it occasionally causes life-threatening airway obstruction. Rigid bronchoscopy is useful as a palliative intervention; however, its utility for metastatic renal cell carcinoma has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rigid bronchoscopic treatment for endobronchial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. Among 550 patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopic intervention at a single center from January 2005 to June 2015, 9 with metastatic renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Procedures were performed with rigid and flexible bronchoscopes under general anesthesia. In total, 20 procedures were performed on 9 patients who underwent stent implantation. Bleeding was observed in 12 (60%) procedures while severe hypoxia was observed in 2 (10%). The required amount of supplemental oxygen successfully decreased after all the 10 procedures (100%) in patients who previously needed it. Median survival after the first procedure was of 260 days (range, 63-913 days). Rigid bronchoscopic intervention for endobronchial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is feasible with safety and effectiveness for palliation of airway obstruction, if one prepares sufficiently for massive intraoperative bleeding.

Therapeutic Bronchoscopy Improves Spirometry, Quality of Life, and Survival in Central Airway Obstruction

Background: Central airway obstruction (CAO) occurs in patients with primary or metastatic lung malignancy and nonmalignant pulmonary disorders and results in significant adverse effects on respiratory function and quality of life. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions on spirometry, dyspnea, quality of life, and survival in patients with CAO. Methods: We prospectively studied patients who underwent therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy for CAO. Spirometry, San Diego Shortness of Breath questionnaire (SOBQ), and SF-36 questionnaire responses were obtained before the procedure and at follow-up 6-8 weeks after the procedure. Results: Fifty-three patients (24 malignant and 29 nonmalignant CAO), who underwent successful rigid bronchoscopic intervention, were enrolled. Airway stent placement and various debulking techniques including mechanical debridement and heat therapy were used. After bronchoscopy, there was a significant increase in forced vital capacity (2.2 ± 0.91 l before, 2.7 ± 0.80 l after, p = 0.009) and forced expiratory volume at 1 s (1.4 ± 0.60 l before, 1.8 ± 0.67 l after, p = 0.002). The SOBQ score improved from 55.8 ± 30.1 before the procedure to 37.9 ± 27.25 after the procedure (p = 0.002). In the SF-36, there was an improvement in almost all domains, with statistically significant improvement seen in several domains. Benefits were seen independent of the etiology of CAO, site of intervention or stent placement. The patients with malignant CAO, in whom airway patency could not be achieved, had a poor survival. Conclusions: Alleviation of CAO with therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy results in improvement in spirometry, shortness of breath, quality of life, and survival.

Bilateral self-expandable metallic stents for lung cancer involving the carina.

Central airway obstruction needs interventional pulmonology and malignant main carinal involvement is one of the most challenging scenarios requiring rigid bronchoscopic intervention under general anesthesia. However, these patients tend to be in poor condition for such interventions. A 91-year-old male patient with lung cancer accompanied by obstructive pneumonia underwent an Ultraflex self-expandable metallic stent placement in the right mainstem bronchus. The extranodal extension of the carcinoma from mediastinal lymph nodes metastases to the carina was so fast that severe stenosis of the bilateral mainstem bronchi was observed 6 weeks later accompanied by the deterioration of dyspnea. To salvage the carina, bilateral Ultraflex covered stents were placed by “side-by-side” method using fiberoptic bronchoscopy under topical anesthesia. This strategy was quite safe and the time needed for the entire procedure was within 20 min. He never experienced dyspnea thereafter and died of a cardiac sudden death 7 months after the initial stenting.

Clinical Experience of Rigid Bronchoscopy in Single Center

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze clinical situations requiring rigid bronchoscopy and evaluate usefulness of rigid bronchoscopic intervention in benign or malignant airway disorders.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy from November 2007 to February 2011 at St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine.ResultsOf the 29 patients, the most frequent underlying etiology was benign stenosis of trachea (n=20). Of those 20 patients, 16 had post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS), 2 had tracheal stenosis due to inhalation burn (IBTS) and other 2 had obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP). Other etiologies were airway malignancy (n=6), endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis (n=2), and foreign body (n=1). For treatment, silicone stent insertion was done in 16 cases of PITS and IBTS and mechanical removal was performed in 2 cases of OFTP. In 6 cases of malignant airway obstruction mechanical debulking was performed and silicone stents were inserted additionally in 2 cases. Balloon dilatation and electrocautery were used in 2 cases of endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis. In all cases of stent, airway obstructive symptom improved immediately. Granulation tissue formation was the most common complication.ConclusionTracheal stenosis was most common indication and silicone stenting was most common procedure of rigid bronchoscopy in our center. Rigid bronchoscopic procedures, at least tracheal silicone stenting, should be included in pulmonary medicine fellowship programs because it is a very effective and indispensable method to relieve critical airway obstruction which needs training to learn.

Rigid Bronchoscopic Intervention in Patients with Respiratory Failure Caused by Malignant Central Airway Obstruction

Bronchoscopic intervention in patients with malignant central airway obstruction provides initial palliation and stabilization of the airway, allowing the possibility of other effective therapeutic modalities, such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. In critically ill patients, however, the only studies of bronchoscopic intervention are relatively small series. To describe the advantages and limitations of rigid bronchoscopic intervention in critically ill patients, we reviewed the medical records of 36 patients (26 men; median age, 62 years; range, 29 to 76 years) who underwent emergency airway intervention for malignant central airway obstruction. Dyspnea was relieved in 34 of 36 patients (94.4%). After the airway was widened, additional definitive therapeutic modalities were used for 21 of 34 patients (61.8%). Patients who underwent additional definitive therapy after bronchoscopic intervention survived longer (median, 38.2 months; range 1.7 to 57.0 months) than those who did not (median, 6.2 months; range, 0.1 to 33.7 months; p < 0.001). These data show that rigid bronchoscopic intervention in critically ill patients with malignant central airway obstruction may be temporarily life-saving and, in some patients, may serve as a "bridge" to allow time for additional therapies for longer survival.

Rigid Bronchoscopic Intervention in Patients with Respiratory Failure Caused by Malignant Central Airway Obstruction

Rigid Bronchoscopic Intervention in Patients with Respiratory Failure Caused by Malignant Central Airway Obstruction

O-028 Rigid bronchoscopic intervention in patients with respiratoryfailure due to malignant central airway obstruction

O-028 Rigid bronchoscopic intervention in patients with respiratoryfailure due to malignant central airway obstruction

Management of an Intrabronchial Rupture of Right Main Pulmonary Artery: A Case Report

We report a case of massive endobronchial hemorrhage following a fistula formation of the right pulmonary artery to the right mainstem bronchus in a 15-year-old girl. The fistula had occurred 39 days after the patient had undergone bilateral lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis. The post-transplantation course was remarkable for bronchial colonization by Aspergillus at the site of right bronchial anastomosis and an episode of spontaneous, self-limited hemoptysis on postoperative day 17. A massive endobronchial hemorrhage during surveillance bronchoscopy occurred 39 days after transplantation. Immediate intervention, including rigid bronchoscopy followed by surgery, was effective in saving the patient. The pathophysiologic hypothesis to explain the fistula of the right pulmonary artery to the right mainstem bronchus probably involves ischemia of the anastomosis with necrosis of the suture zone complicated by endobronchial infection with Aspergillus. Rigid bronchoscopic intervention associated with an excellent medical surgical collaboration was pivotal in successfully rescuing the patient.

Therapeutic Rigid Bronchoscopy Allows Level of Care Changes in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure From Central Airways Obstruction

To determine whether emergency rigid bronchoscopic intervention, including Nd-YAG laser resection or stenting, immediately affected the need for continued mechanical ventilation or intensive care level of support in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure from malignant or benign central airways obstruction. Retrospective review of medical records of all patients with acute respiratory failure and malignant or benign tracheobronchial obstruction necessitating intubation, mechanical ventilation, or hospitalization in the ICU prior to referral for therapeutic bronchoscopy. University of California San Diego, a tertiary care institution specialized in airway management. Medical records of 32 patients with malignant or benign central airways obstruction requiring admission to the ICU prior to rigid bronchoscopic intervention between January 1994 and April 1996. Emergent rigid bronchoscopy with dilatation, Nd-YAG laser resection, or silicone stent insertion performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Thirty-two patients with central airways obstruction requiring emergent hospitalization in the ICU were referred for therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy. Airway strictures were caused by benign disease in 18 patients, and by primary bronchogenic lung cancer in 14. Of the 19 patients who were mechanically ventilated, bronchoscopic intervention allowed immediate discontinuation of mechanical ventilation in 10 (52.6%). Twenty-five patients had indwelling artificial airways (12 endotracheal tubes, 13 tracheotomy tubes). Two, however, were considered tracheotomy-dependent because of neuromuscular disease. Of the remaining 23 patients, immediate extubation or decannulation was possible in seven (30.4%). Of seven patients with no indwelling airway, five (71.4%) were immediately transferred to a lower level of care after intervention. Of the 32 total patients, 20 (62.5%) were immediately transferred to a lower level of care immediately after intervention. Emergency laser resection or stent insertion can favorably affect health-care utilization in patients with acute respiratory distress from central airways obstruction. Treatment may be lifesaving and allows successful withdrawal from mechanical ventilation, hospitalization in a lower level of care environment, relief of symptoms, and extended survival in critically ill patients. In patients with regionally advanced cancer, the palliative nature of this procedure postpones death by respiratory distress and may prompt consideration for institution of conservative comfort measures to reduce patient suffering.