Therapeutic fibreoptic bronchoscopy in intensive care.

Experience with therapeutic bronchoscopy using the fibreoptic bronchoscope in intensive care has shown it to be a useful procedure. The Nosworthy connection has also been modified to allow intermittent positive-pressure ventilation to be maintained during bronchoscopy. This procedure is valuable in those cases where sputum or blood are retained in the airways despite adequate physiotherapy and endotracheal suction. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy should be available as a routine service in intensive therapy units.