Fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the elderly: 4 years' experience.

We reviewed the records of all patients over the age of 80 years undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy in St James's Hospital between May 1982 and May 1986, to assess the safety and clinical usefulness of the procedure in this group of patients. Sixty bronchoscopies were performed in this time, 21 patients had histologically proven bronchogenic carcinoma, oma, one had tuberculosis, and one a benign polyp. There was no mortality and no serious morbidity. We concluded that fibreoptic bronchoscopy is a safe, useful procedure which was helping in planning future management in this group of patients.