Other endoscopic interventions

Abstract

The first bronchoscopy was carried out by Killian (Fig. 1) in 1897 to remove a bone from the main bronchus of an old man. Rigid bronchoscopes have been used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes until around 1970. With the advent of flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopes the equipment had almost been phased out until recently. There is now a resurgence in its use for interventional endoscopic techniques such as cryosurgery, laser therapy or stent insertions. However the fibreoptic bronchoscope is still indicated with the improved equipment being developed such as the fibre optic laser and flexible cryoprobes, even if it is preferable to use a rigid bronchoscope whenever possible. In view of the facility and safety of cryosurgery it is hoped that it will be used sensibly and within the limitations of its capabilities. Finally endobrachytherapy with high dose rates is a new technique available to endoscopists.