Bronchoscopy in panendoscopy: review and assessment.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the utility of bronchoscopy to identify synchronous primaries in head and neck cancer patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

METHOD

The charts of all patients undergoing bronchoscopy between January 2008 and December 2013 were reviewed. Only those undergoing bronchoscopy as part of panendoscopy for head and neck cancer were included. Operative reports, pathology reports and discharge summaries were reviewed for operative findings, complications and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 404 charts were reviewed and 168 were included in the study. No synchronous primaries were identified. Bronchoscopy changed clinical management in one patient. There were no complications from bronchoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopy is a safe and well-tolerated procedure commonly performed in the investigation of head and neck cancer patients, but it adds little additional useful clinical information. Routine performance of bronchoscopy in this setting should be weighed against its added costs, and tailored to the individual patient.