Utilization of endobronchial electrocautery for removal of an impacted airway foreign body.

Dear Editor, Aspiration of a foreign body into the tracheobronchial tree can occur at any age, though it occurs more commonly in children. In small children, the foreign body commonly gets lodged in the central airways (trachea and mainstem bronchi); hence, the presentation is usually sudden onset of cough and dyspnea or even lifethreatening respiratory failure in an otherwise healthy child. A witnessed aspiration or a history of aspiration can usually be elicited.

Guidelines for diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy in adults: Joint Indian Chest Society/National College of chest physicians (I)/Indian association for bronchology recommendations.

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is commonly performed by respiratory physicians for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. However, bronchoscopy practices vary widely across India and worldwide. The three major respiratory organizations of the country supported a national-level expert group that formulated a comprehensive guideline document for FB based on a detailed appraisal of available evidence. These guidelines are an attempt to provide the bronchoscopist with the most scientifically sound as well as practical approach of bronchoscopy. It involved framing appropriate questions, review and critical appraisal of the relevant literature and reaching a recommendation by the expert groups. The guidelines cover major areas in basic bronchoscopy including (but not limited to), indications for procedure, patient preparation, various sampling procedures, bronchoscopy in the ICU setting, equipment care, and training issues. The target audience is respiratory physicians working in India and well as other parts of the world. It is hoped that this document would serve as a complete reference guide for all pulmonary physicians performing or desiring to learn the technique of flexible bronchoscopy.