Bronchoscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Operative Lung Complications.

Abstract

Lung complications calling for bronchoscopy are not frequent, because suitable precautions are taken by most anaesthetists and surgeons. A certain number of cases occur, however, sometimes diagnosed as pneumonia, but actually due to mechanical obstruction of a bronchus.Suspected cases require bronchoscopy for diagnosis and respond well to treatment by aspiration and direct medication.All cases due to foreign body can be cured, and most post-operative lung abscesses clear up quickly. Diffuse bronchitis is improved and its cessation prevents the subsequent development of multiple bronchiectasis. Acute massive collapse is in very many instances the result of occlusion of a bronchus by a plug of thick mucus, removal of which effects a cure.