An analysis of the first 300 fibreoptic bronchoscopies at the Brompton Hospital

We report the results of the first 300 fibreoptic bronchoscopies carried out at the Brompton Hospital. Positive cell typing was possible in only 36% of the visible carcinomas in the first 150 patients, but in 74% of the second 150. The reasons for this difference are discussed. We suggest that fibreoptic bronchoscopy be carried out in district referral hospitals where sufficient experience can be gained to produce good results. Our results suggest that the trap specimen should be examined routinely for acid-fast bacilli, for malignant cells only if biopsy is negative and not at all for other bacteria. With experience good results can be obtained by physicians and the expertise gained is invaluable in the investigation and treatment of a wide range of patients, many of whom do not need surgical treatment.