[Fiber bronchoscopy in old age. Its diagnostic importance, tolerability and safety]

Fibreoptic bronchoscopic procedure has arisen as fundamental investigation in pneumology. This is of documented value regarding young subjects, however the utility of bronchoscopy in the elderly has not yet been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the elderly. We analyzed both retrospectively and prospectively our experience evaluating the indications, endoscopy findings and tolerance of the procedure in this population. Obviously patients suffering from mental illness or psychotic disease have been not included in this second session of the study. We found that elderly subjects were better compliant than young patients for the bronchoscopic procedure. The analysis showed that no differences were found, between young and elderly patients, for the total number of complications recorded. Analysing the results concerning investigations for haemoptysis we have also observed a high diagnostic value for fibreoptic bronchoscopy even in the aged group, particularly for neoplastic diseases. Our data demonstrate that fibreoptic bronchoscopy is a well tolerated procedure even in elderly patients and is associated with few complications. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy procedure provides useful diagnostic guidelines which enhances the choices of a more appropriate treatment.