| Title: | Pre-Clinical Testing of Single Use Flexible Bronchoscopes: Clinician Preference based on Physical Characteristics and Level of Experience |
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| Author(s): | AM. Sweeney K. Deasy E. O'Reilly H. Ibrahim H. Danish T. O'Sullivan D. Landers M. Kennedy |
| Institution: | Cork University Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Lung Cancer and Bronchoscopy |
| Abstract: | Single use flexible bronchoscopes (SUFBs) have come to the forefront in the COVID-19 pandemic due to the need 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. 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 for evaluation of scope parameters including ergonomics, comfort and ease of technical procedures. Participant parameters were collected including height, gender and hand size. TSC Broncoflex© was the preferred bronchoscope with an average score of 45.4/55 including 82.1% for ergonomics and 83% for usage. Female participants (n=12) preferred Pentax (48.5/55) while male participants preferred TSC (44.3/55). Participants with small (n=10) or medium (n=23) glove size preferred Pentax (48.5/55; 45.3/55); those with large glove size (n=5) ranked Vathin and TSC highest (44.4/55, 44/55). Doctors with >10 years experience preferred Pentax (p=0.04); less experienced groups preferred TSC. In conclusion, gender, hand size and previous experience influenced scope preference. These factors should be considered in future scope development. |
