Single-Use or Disposable Flexible Bronchoscopy in Advanced Bronchoscopy Procedures: Experience in a Quaternary...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Medical Devices
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Single-use flexible bronchoscopes (SUFBs) offer reduced infectious transmission risk.
• SUFBs decrease the need for endoscopy staffing, a benefit highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of a novel single-use bronchoscope.
• Assessment conducted in an academic quaternary referral center with an interventional pulmonology program.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection on sequential bronchoscopy procedures using SUFBs (The Surgical Company Broncoflex©).
• Data included demographics, procedural details, scope performance, user satisfaction, and complications.
• 139 procedures performed by five pulmonology faculty between January and July 2021.

Main Results:

• Procedures primarily for infection (45%) and malignancy (32%).
• 8% of patients were COVID-19 positive or suspected.
• High user satisfaction (85%), with technical limitations in 15% (suction, image quality); 2.8% reverted to reusable scopes.

Conclusions:

• Single-use flexible bronchoscopes are safe for use in a bronchoscopy unit.
• Both routine and advanced bronchoscopy procedures can be successfully performed with SUFBs.
• High reported satisfaction indicates SUFBs are a viable option for interventional pulmonology.