| Title: | Real world Experience of Single Use Flexible Bronchoscopy over Six Months in a Tertiary Centre |
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| Author(s): | Anne-Marie Sweeney Grace Kavanagh Patrick Coghlan Hammad Danish Fernando Gomez Barry Plant Michael Henry Marcus Peter Kennedy |
| Institution: | Department of Respiratory Medicine, Cork University Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Lung Cancer and Bronchoscopy |
| Abstract: | The development of single use flexible bronchoscopes (SUFBs) has accelerated in recent years, with the reduced risk of infectious transmission and reduced need for endoscopy staffing particularly advantageous in the COVID-19 pandemic era. We trialled the routine use of The Surgical Company Bronchoflex© SUFB in a tertiary bronchoscopy service. 139 procedures were performed by five consultants from January to July 2021. The majority were carried out for infection (45%) and malignancy (32%). Most were performed in the endoscopy suite, however 8 procedures took place in ICU, 6 at ward level and 3 in theatre as an adjunct to a rigid bronchoscope. The SUFBs were used across a range of procedures including bronchoalveolar lavage, brushings, endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration, argon plasma coagulation, cryobiopsy and stent placement. 85% of procedures were reported to have no complications related to the use of a SUFB with a user satisfaction score of above 4/5 in 89% of cases. Issues with image quality (6%) or suction (5%) meant the reversion to reusable bronchoscope in some cases. Overall, the use of SUFBs has significant benefits in patient care with the ability to use the SUFB across a range of indications and procedures with high user satisfaction. |
