The Incidence of Hemorrhagic Complications Was Lower With the Guide Sheath Than With the Conventional Forceps Biopsy Method: Results of Bronchoscopy in the 2016 Nationwide Survey by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy performed a nationwide survey to evaluate the current status and complications of bronchoscopy. Data on deaths due to bronchoscopy, complications after bronchoscopy, and particularly, complications of forceps biopsy were surveyed. METHODS: The survey form was mailed to 532 facilities accredited by the society. The numbers of procedures, complications, and deaths were investigated. RESULTS: The response rate was 79.1% (421 facilities). Deaths attributable to diagnostic bronchoscopy occurred in 11 (0.011%) of 98,497 cases.In regards to forceps biopsy, the guide sheath method was applied in 23,916 cases and the conventional method in 31,419 cases was done with conventional method. Complications of forceps biopsy developed in 1019 cases in total, with an incidence rate of 1.84%. The most frequent complication was pneumothorax (0.70%), followed by pneumonia/pleurisy (0.46%) and hemorrhage (0.45%). The incidence of hemorrhagic complication was significantly lower in the guide sheath group than in the non-guide sheath group (0.29% vs. 0.58%; P<0.001). The overall incidence of complications (1.63% vs. 2.00%; P=0.002) and the mortality rate (0% vs. 0.02%; P=0.04) were significantly lower in the guide sheath group. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hemorrhagic complications in forceps biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions was lower when the guide sheath method was applied. It is necessary to increase the awareness for safety control in diagnostic bronchoscopy for new procedures.

Combined Surgical and Endoscopic Approach for Ring-Sling Complex.

BACKGROUND: Left pulmonary artery (LPA) sling (PAS) is a vascular ring, which is frequently associated with long-segment tracheal stenosis (TS). Mortality rate in operated children is still high, especially in cases of severe tracheal hypoplasia and/or associated congenital heart defects (CHDs). We report our experience of treatment and follow-up in a pediatric cohort of patients affected by PAS with severe tracheobronchial involvement. METHODS: From 2005 to 2017, we enrolled 11 children diagnosed with PAS and congenital TS requiring surgical intervention. Echocardiography, computed tomography, and bronchoscopy were performed in all patients. Associated CHD were present in 5 (45%) patients. Tracheal reconstruction techniques included slide tracheoplasty (7/11; 63%), slide tracheoplasty and costal cartilage graft (2/11; 18%), and Hazekamp technique (2/11; 18%).Nine patients underwent LPA direct reimplantation and concomitant tracheoplasty; concomitant surgical repair for CHD was performed in three children. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 30 months (range: 3-75 months), a late mortality of 18% was registered; no early death occurred. Good flow through LPA could be documented in all patients. Ten children required operative bronchoscopies (mean: 16/patients) aimed at stent positioning/removal, treatment of granulomas, and tracheobronchial dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Severe tracheobronchial stenosis and associated CHD were the main determinants for hospitalization time, intensive assistance, and repeated endoscopic procedures.Patients affected by PAS/TS complex require a careful management at high-specialized centers providing multidisciplinary team.Respiratory endoscopy may play a central role both in preoperatory assessment and in postoperative management of patients showing severe tracheobronchial involvement.

Use of interventional bronchoscopic treatment in small cell lung cancer.

AIMS: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) constitutes 15%-25% of all lung cancers. Their treatment approach is different from nonsmall cell lung cancer. Central airway obstruction develops at the time of diagnosis or eventually at some time as the disease progress. Quick relief of symptoms with chemotherapy will cause to postpone interventional bronchoscopy which divest patient from benefits of this procedure. There is a few data about the use of interventional bronchoscopy in SCLC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia was done in a total of 944 cases. Among them, 52 consecutive SCLC cases were evaluated retrospectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Survival was calculated from the date of application of therapeutic bronchoscopy using statistical software. RESULTS: From the 52 cases (41 males) mean age of the patients were 56,87 ± 10,16 (range 34-78). Most common obstruction areas were distal trachea and carina invasion involving both main bronchus (n: 12; 23%). Most common method used was mechanical desobstruction after coagulation with diode diode laser or APC. A total of 16 stents was applied to 15 of the cases from 52 cases (28.8%). Most common used stent was silicon Y stent (n: 11). Most common complication during the procedure was bleeding that was mild in 11 cases and massive in 1. One patient died during the procedure (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal interventional bronchoscopic methods seem to be a last option but may be useful in the management of advanced airway obstruction in the setting of SCLC. The choice of modality may be chosen depending upon individual patient characteristics as appropriate.

[Endoscopic lung volume reduction for emphysema]. / Réduction de volume pulmonaire endoscopique dans l'emphysème.

Lung hyperinflation which is a hallmark of advanced emphysema plays a major role in the exertional dyspnoea experienced by patients. This has led to the development of surgical lung volume reduction which, though effective, is also associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The goal of endoscopic lung volume reduction which has developed over several years is to decrease hyperinflation without exposing patients to the risks of surgery. Several endoscopic techniques have been assessed by high quality controlled studies: airway by-pass, instillation of glue, insertion of coils or unidirectional valves, vapour ablation. The aim of this review is to present the results of these studies in terms of functional benefit and side effects. Based on these studies, an algorithm for the endoscopic management of advanced forms of emphysema is proposed.

Catheter based treatments for fibrosing mediastinitis.

Fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare, often debilitating and potentially lethal disease characterized by an exuberant fibroinflammatory response within the mediastinum. Patients typically present with insidious symptoms related to compression of adjacent structures including the esophagus, heart, airways, and cardiac vessels. Fibrosing mediastinitis is most often triggered by Histoplasmosis infection; however, antifungal and anti-inflammatory therapies are largely ineffective. While structural interventions aimed at alleviating obstruction can provide significant palliation, surgical interventions are challenging with high mortality and clinical experience with percutaneous interventions is limited. Here, we will review the presentation, natural history, and treatment of fibrosing mediastinitis, placing particular emphasis on catheter-based therapies.

Morbidity and mortality in children undergoing bronchoscopy for foreign body removal.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Analyze morbidity and mortality among children undergoing bronchoscopy for foreign body removal. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective review using the American College of Surgeons Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2014 and 2015. METHODS: Patients were identified using Current Procedural Terminology code 31635. Demographics, time to surgery, operative times, hospitalization time, and complications were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors for major adverse events. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-four patients were included (mean age 3.7 years, 59.0% male). Preoperative sepsis syndrome was present in 5.7% of patients and 8.1% had asthma. Of the patients, 5.1% percent of patients had a tracheostomy. Bronchoscopy was performed by an otolaryngologist (65.4%) or a pediatric surgeon (33.1%). Mean operative time was 27.4 minutes, whereas mean total operating room time was 54.6 minutes. Airway foreign bodies were located in 269 patients (80.5%), with 62.5% being located in the mainstem bronchus. Operative time was longer when foreign bodies were in the mainstem bronchus or distal to it. Mean time to surgery from admission was 0 days, and mean duration of hospitalization was 1 day. One patient (0.3%) required reoperation for respiratory reasons, and three (0.9%) required readmission for related reasons. No patients remained hospitalized at 30 days. Two (0.6%) had a postoperative pneumonia, and two (0.6%) required reintubation. One patient death (0.3%) occurred within 2 weeks of bronchoscopy. No significant differences were identified in operative time, time to surgery, or hospitalization time based on age, gender, presence of a tracheostomy, or surgical specialty. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopy for identification and removal of airway foreign bodies had minimal morbidity in this group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1226-1229, 2018.

Predicting Structure-Function Relations and Survival following Surgical and Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction Treatment of Emphysema.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (bLVR) are palliative treatments aimed at reducing hyperinflation in advanced emphysema. Previous work has evaluated functional improvements and survival advantage for these techniques, although their effects on the micromechanical environment in the lung have yet to be determined. Here, we introduce a computational model to simulate a force-based destruction of elastic networks representing emphysema progression, which we use to track the response to lung volume reduction via LVRS and bLVR. We find that (1) LVRS efficacy can be predicted based on pre-surgical network structure; (2) macroscopic functional improvements following bLVR are related to microscopic changes in mechanical force heterogeneity; and (3) both techniques improve aspects of survival and quality of life influenced by lung compliance, albeit while accelerating disease progression. Our model predictions yield unique insights into the microscopic origins underlying emphysema progression before and after lung volume reduction.

Interventional pulmonology for patients with central airway obstruction: An 8-year institutional experience.

Patients with central airway obstruction (CAO) may need endobronchial intervention to relieve their symptoms. This report is on a single-center experience of using interventional bronchoscopy in terms of complications and survival. This retrospective study was conducted in a university hospital and involved 614 patients (464 men, 150 women; mean age, 60.2 years) with benign (n = 133) and malignant (n = 481) tracheobronchial disease who received 756 endobronchial intervention procedure during the period 2008 to 2015. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, while the log-rank test was used for comparisons. A total of 583 patients (95%) achieved endoscopic success after interventional bronchoscopy. Four (0.7%) died within 24 hours of the procedure, while the major morbidities were halitosis (n = 41, 6.7%) and iatrogenic pneumonia (n = 24, 3.9%). Repeat procedures due to recurrent airway obstruction were done on 45 patients with benign conditions and on 60 with malignancies. The median survival after the procedure in patients with lung cancer, other metastatic cancer, and esophageal cancer was 166, 228, and 86 days, respectively. Between patients with inoperable lung cancer and CAO after therapeutic bronchoscopy and patients without CAO, there was no statistically significant difference in survival (P = 0.101). Interventional bronchoscopy is a safe and effective procedure that may be recommended for CAO. Patients with lung metastases have similar lengths of survival as patients with primary lung cancer. Patients with advanced lung cancer and CAO have similar survival as those without CAO.

Safety and Diagnostic Yield of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy in Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases: A Comparative Study versus Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Biopsy and a Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: A diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) may include surgical lung biopsy (SLB), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and also appreciable costs. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is adopting an important role. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield (DY) and safety of TBLC and SLB in a large cohort of patients and to perform a systematic review of the literature as well as a meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 447 cases with ILD undergoing TBLC and/or SLB and a systematic review of the literature (MEDLINE and Embase for all original articles on the DY and safety of TBLC in ILDs up to July 2015). RESULTS: A total of 150 patients underwent SLB and 297 underwent TBLC. The median time of hospitalization was 6.1 days (SLB) and 2.6 days (TBLC; p < 0.0001). Mortality due to adverse events was observed for 2.7% (SLB) and 0.3% (TBLC) of the patients. Pneumothorax was the most common complication after TBLC (20.2%). No severe bleeding was observed. TBLC was diagnostic for 246 patients (82.8%), SLB for 148 patients (98.7%, p = 0.013). A meta-analysis of 15 investigations including 781 patients revealed an overall DY of 0.81 (0.75-0.87); the overall pooled probability of developing a pneumothorax, as retrieved from 15 studies including 994 patients, was 0.06 (95% CI 0.02-0.11). CONCLUSION: Cryobiopsy is safe and has lower complication and mortality rates compared to SLB. TBLC might, therefore, be considered the first diagnostic approach for obtaining tissue in ILDs, reserving the surgical approach for cases in which TBLC is not diagnostic.

Transplant Pulmonary Interventions: Translating Lung Transplant Interventions to Nontransplant Patients.

Roughly 10% of lung transplant recipients experience airway complications. Although the incidence has decreased dramatically since the first lung transplants were performed in the 1960s, airway complications have continued to adversely affect outcomes. Bronchoscopic interventions such as balloon dilation, airway stenting, and endobronchial electrocautery play an important role in ameliorating the morbidity and mortality associated with these complications. This review describes the array of bronchoscopic interventions used to treat airway complications after lung transplant and how these techniques can be used in nontransplant settings as well.

Endobronchial Treatment of Carcinoid Tumors of the Lung.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial carcinoid tumors are known as low-grade malignancies. Surgery has been proposed as the best treatment of choice for lung carcinoids. However, less invasive treatment approaches may be considered due to low-grade malignancy potential of such tumors. The aim of this study was to review the results of endobronchial treatments of carcinoid tumors of the lung and to compare with the outcome after surgery. METHODS: Initial complete tumor eradication with an endobronchial treatment was attempted for 29 patients. Diode laser or argon plasma coagulation was used during these treatments. Cryotherapy or laser treatments were applied consecutively in patients for whom there was good bronchoscopic visualization of the distal and basal tumor margins and no evidence of bronchial wall involvement. Surgery was performed in cases of atypical carcinoid and in cases of nonvisualization of the basal and distal part of the tumor. RESULTS: Overall, 29 patients have been included (median age 58 years; range, 23-77 years). Median follow-up has been 49 months (range, 22-94 months). A total of 24 patients (69%) had typical carcinoid tumor, 5 patients (31%) had atypical carcinoid tumor. Initial endobronchial treatment provided complete tumor eradication in 21 of 29 patients (72%). Of the eight other patients (28%), two were atypical carcinoids, and underwent surgical treatment. There was no tumor-related death and no recurrence during the follow-up in both groups. There was no difference for survival or recurrence between the surgical and the endobronchial treatment group of patients (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endobronchial treatment may be considered as safe, effective treatment for typical carcinoid tumors in the central airways. Addition of initial endobronchial treatment had no negative effect on the surgical outcome.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction by endobronchial valve in advanced emphysema: the first Asian report.

PURPOSE: Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy is increasingly being seen as a therapeutic option for advanced emphysema, but its clinical utility in Asian populations, who may have different phenotypes to other ethnic populations, has not been assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective open-label single-arm clinical trial examined the clinical efficacy and the safety of EBV in 43 consecutive patients (mean age 68.4±7.5, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] 24.5%±10.7% predicted, residual volume 208.7%±47.9% predicted) with severe emphysema with complete fissure and no collateral ventilation in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the patients exhibited significant improvements 6 months after EBV therapy in terms of FEV1 (from 0.68±0.26 L to 0.92±0.40 L; P<0.001), 6-minute walk distance (from 233.5±114.8 m to 299.6±87.5 m; P=0.012), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (from 3.7±0.6 to 2.4±1.2; P<0.001), and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (from 65.59±13.07 to 53.76±11.40; P=0.028). Nine patients (20.9%) had a tuberculosis scar, but these scars did not affect target lobe volume reduction or pneumothorax frequency. Thirteen patients had adverse events, ten (23.3%) developed pneumothorax, which included one death due to tension pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: EBV therapy was as effective and safe in Korean patients as it has been shown to be in Western countries. ( TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01869205).

Quantitative versus qualitative cultures of respiratory secretions for clinical outcomes in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infectious disease in intensive care units (ICUs). The best diagnostic approach to resolve this condition remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions and invasive strategies are effective in reducing mortality in immunocompetent patients with VAP, compared with qualitative cultures and non-invasive strategies. We also considered changes in antibiotic use, length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 9), MEDLINE (1966 to October week 2, 2014), EMBASE (1974 to October 2014) and LILACS (1982 to October 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing respiratory samples processed quantitatively or qualitatively, obtained by invasive or non-invasive methods from immunocompetent patients with VAP and which analysed the impact of these methods on antibiotic use and mortality rates. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently reviewed the trials identified in the search results and assessed studies for suitability, methodology and quality. We analysed data using Review Manager software. We pooled the included studies to yield the risk ratio (RR) for mortality and antibiotic change with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Of the 5064 references identified from the electronic databases (605 from the updated search in October 2014), five RCTs (1367 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Three studies compared invasive methods using quantitative cultures versus non-invasive methods using qualitative cultures, and we used them to answer the main objective of this review. The other two studies compared invasive versus non-invasive methods, both using quantitative cultures. We combined all five studies to compare invasive versus non-invasive interventions for diagnosing VAP. The studies that compared quantitative and qualitative cultures (1240 patients) showed no statistically significant differences in mortality rates (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.11). The analysis of all five RCTs showed there was no evidence of reduction in mortality in the invasive group versus the non-invasive group (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.11). There were no significant differences between the interventions with respect to the number of days on mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay or antibiotic change. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that the use of quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions results in reduced mortality, reduced time in ICU and on mechanical ventilation, or higher rates of antibiotic change when compared to qualitative cultures in patients with VAP. We observed similar results when invasive strategies were compared with non-invasive strategies.

Efficacy of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Over the last several years, the morbidity, mortality, and high costs associated with lung volume reduction (LVR) surgery has fuelled the development of different methods for bronchoscopic LVR (BLVR) in patients with emphysema. In this meta-analysis, we sought to study and compare the efficacy of most of these methods. METHODS: ELIGIBLE STUDIES WERE RETRIEVED FROM PUBMED AND EMBASE FOR THE FOLLOWING BLVR METHODS: one-way valves, sealants (BioLVR), LVR coils, airway bypass stents, and bronchial thermal vapor ablation. Primary study outcomes included the mean change post-intervention in the lung function tests, the 6-minute walk distance, and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included treatment-related complications. RESULTS: Except for the airway bypass stents, all other methods of BLVR showed efficacy in primary outcomes. However, in comparison, the BioLVR method showed the most significant findings and was the least associated with major treatment-related complications. For the BioLVR method, the mean change in forced expiratory volume (in first second) was 0.18 L (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09 to 0.26; P<0.001); in 6-minute walk distance was 23.98 m (95% CI: 12.08 to 35.88; P<0.01); and in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire was -8.88 points (95% CI: -12.12 to -5.64; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The preliminary findings of our meta-analysis signify the importance of most methods of BLVR. The magnitude of the effect on selected primary outcomes shows noninferiority, if not equivalence, when compared to what is known for surgical LVR.

Self-expanding Y stents in the treatment of central airway stenosis: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Central airway obstruction (CAO) is a life-threatening situation. Stent insertion re-establishes patency of the central airways. Self-expanding metallic Y stents have been available since 2005, widening the spectrum of interventional bronchoscopic techniques. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients treated for CAO with a self-expanding metallic Y stent at the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg between May 2005 and January 2009. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients aged 26-81 had a metallic Y stent inserted endoscopically for the treatment of CAO; 39 of these patients (90.7%) had CAO due to malignant disease, four patients (9.3%) due to benign disease. In all 43 patients, the Y stent was deployed without any complications. A longitudinal follow up was possible in 32 of the 43 patients. The stents remained in situ for an average of 107.1 days (range 1-640 days). In 29 patients with malignant CAO the stenosis was successfully overcome with a Y stent; 11 of these patients died within 6 weeks following stent insertion. On follow up the remaining 18 patients showed immediate improvement of dyspnoea. Eight out of the 18 patients (44.4%) tolerated the stent without problems, two (11.1%) required further stenting, six (33.3%) had complications such as increased secretions, cough, dyspnoea or granulation tissue formation. The stent was removed in one patient (5.6%) due to increased secretions, and in another (5.6%) as the stent was no longer required due to successful tumour-specific therapy. CONCLUSION: Placement of Y stents in symptomatic CAO allows for quick relief of symptoms. Severe complications are rare. Stent removal is possible after successful treatment of the primary tumour. However, the prognostic indicator for survival is the underlying malignancy.

Non-malignant respiratory tract fistula from the oesophagus. A lethal condition for which novel therapeutic options are emerging.

OBJECTIVES: Fistulas between the oesophagus and the respiratory tract can occur as a complication to anastomotic dehiscence after oesophageal resection, without any signs of local residual tumour growth. Other causes that are, by definition, benign may rarely prevail. The traditional therapeutic approach is to divert the proximal portion of the oesophagus and transpose the conduit into the abdominal cavity. With the introduction and development of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS), new therapeutic options have emerged for these severe complications. We have evaluated our stent-based strategy for managing these life-threatening situations. METHODS: At Karolinska University Hospital, all patients admitted with an oesophago-respiratory fistula during the period 2003-2011 followed a stent-based strategy. On clinical suspicion, a prompt computed tomography scan was performed with contrast ingestion, to visualize the status of the anastomosis and the potential communications. Often an endoscopy was done to assess the oesophagus and the conduit. The respiratory tree was inspected through a concomitant bronchoscopy. The double-stent strategy presently applied meant that covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) were applied on the alimentary and airway sides to adequately cover the fistula orifice on both sides. The subsequent clinical course determined the ensuing therapeutic strategy. RESULTS: During the study period, 17 cases with oesophago-respiratory fistulas were treated at our unit, of which 13 exhibited fistulation following an oesophageal resection due to cancer and 4 cases had a benign underlying disease. The cancer patients did not show any obvious demographic profile when it came to the cancer sub-location, histological type of cancer, or treatment with neoadjuvant chemo- and radiochemotherapy. There was an equal distribution between hand-sutured and stapled anastomoses. In 10 of the cases, the anastomoses were located in the upper right chest; the remainder in the neck, and all reconstructions were carried out by a tubulized stomach. The diagnosis of the fistula tract between the anastomotic area and the respiratory tract was attained on the 15th postoperative day (median), with a range from 5 to 24 days. CONCLUSIONS: When an oesophago-respiratory fistula is diagnosed, even in a situation where no neoplastic tissue is prevailing, attempts should be made to close the fistula tract by SEMS from both directions, i.e. from the oesophageal as well as the respiratory side. By this means, a majority of these patients can be initially managed conservatively with prospects of a successful outcome, although virtually all will eventually require a single-stage resection and reconstruction.

Deaths and complications associated with respiratory endoscopy: a survey by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy in 2010.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In order to survey the current status of the use and complications associated with respiratory endoscopy, the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy conducted a nationwide postal questionnaire survey. METHODS: The survey was mailed to all 538 facilities certified by the society. The subjects were patients who underwent respiratory endoscopy in 2010. The numbers of procedures, and associated complications and deaths were investigated according to lesion and procedure using a specific inventory. RESULTS: The inventory was completed by 483 facilities (89.8%). The total number of diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy procedures performed was 103 978, and four patients died (0.004%). The complication rate according to lesion ranged from 0.51% to 2.06%, with the highest rate being observed in patients with diffuse lesions. The complication rate according to procedure ranged from 0.17% to 1.93%, with the highest rate being observed in patients who underwent forceps biopsy. The complication rate after forceps biopsy of solitary peripheral pulmonary lesions was 1.79% (haemorrhage: 0.73%, pneumothorax: 0.63%), and that after endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of hilar and/or mediastinal lymph node lesions was 0.46%. Therapeutic bronchoscopy was performed in 3020 patients; one patient (0.03%) died due to haemorrhage induced by insertion of an expandable metallic stent. The complication rate according to procedure was highest for foreign body removal (2.2%). Medical pleuroscopy was performed in 1563 patients. The highest complication rate was for biopsy without electrocautery (1.86%). A total of 228 facilities (47.2%) experienced breakage of bronchoscopes and/or devices. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory endoscopy was performed safely, but education regarding complications caused by new techniques is necessary.

Quantitative versus qualitative cultures of respiratory secretions for clinical outcomes in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infectious disease in intensive care units (ICUs). The best diagnostic approach to resolve this condition remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions are effective in reducing mortality in immunocompetent patients with VAP, compared with qualitative cultures. We also considered changes in antibiotic use, length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation. SEARCH METHODS: We searched The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 2, 2011, which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to June Week 4, 2011), EMBASE (1974 to June 2011) and LILACS (1982 to June 2011). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing respiratory samples processed quantitatively or qualitatively, obtained by invasive or non-invasive methods from immunocompetent patients with VAP and which analysed the impact of these methods on antibiotic use and mortality rates. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently reviewed and trials identified in the search results and assessed studies for suitability, methodology and quality. We analysed data using Review Manager software. We pooled the included studies to yield the risk ratio (RR) for mortality and antibiotic change with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Of the 4459 references identified from the electronic databases, five RCTs (1367 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Three studies compared invasive methods using quantitative cultures versus non-invasive methods using qualitative cultures, and were used to answer the main objective of this review. The other two studies compared invasive versus non-invasive methods, both using quantitative cultures. We combined all five studies to compare invasive versus non-invasive interventions for diagnosing VAP. The studies that compared quantitative and qualitative cultures (1240 patients) showed no statistically significant differences in mortality rates (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.11). The analysis of all five RCTs showed there was no evidence of reduction in mortality in the invasive group versus the non-invasive group (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.11). There were no significant differences between the interventions with respect to the number of days on mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay or antibiotic change. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that the use of quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions results in reduced mortality, reduced time in ICU and on mechanical ventilation, or higher rates of antibiotic change when compared to qualitative cultures in patients with VAP. Similar results were observed when invasive strategies were compared with non-invasive strategies.

Diode laser in the endoscopic treatment of obstructive airway disease: two years experience in Istanbul.

AIM: Laser therapy is a well-known technique which has been safely used for almost thirty years to treat endobronchial obstruction. Nd : YAG and Nd : YAP lasers are commonly used lasers, whose safety and efficacy have been investigated in several large series. Diode laser is a new laser system which has been mainly used in urology, endovascular surgery, ENT, and dermatology. In recent years it has been effectively used in endobronchial treatments. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, 61 patients who underwent endobronchial treatment with a diode laser in the Interventional Pneumology Unit of our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Fifty-one patients were male. Mean age was 54.72 ± 13.81 years, and a total of 90 laser applications were given. In 39 cases, palliation of a malign obstruction was achieved while cure was achieved in 19 cases with benign obstruction. No major complication other than minor hemorrhage in 4 cases and temporary hypoxia in 2 cases was observed. CONCLUSION: Diode laser can be used as an effective and safe modality for endobronchial treatment.