Transnasal Approach for Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

¹ From the University Hospital, San Diego

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy should be a simple and safe procedure when performed by persons who are well trained in controlled hospital or clinic environment with adequate paramedical personnel and equipment. The transnasal approach is safe, well tolerated, and offers a diagnostic and therapeutic yield equal to that obtained when intubation is added to the procedure. The only contraindication to its use is a nose completely obstructed by either trauma or disease. Should complications arise, the patient can be rapidly intubated, in most instances using the fiberoptic bronchoscope to assist either transnasal or transoral intubation. The operator should be trained in these and more classic methods of intubation, and perform bronchoscopy in an environment with adequate personnel, supplies, and equipment to permit prompt response to complications.