[Consensus guidelines for respiratory endoscopy issued by the Argentine Society of Bronchoesophagology]

The international consensus is that guidelines for respiratory endoscopy are inadequate, regarding such issues as institutional requirements, benefits, risks and limitations of the procedure, training programs and accreditation, with the result that the way or performing endoscopy varies according to how an operator was trained. The absence of precise recommendations means that practice is highly diverse and inappropriate use of the procedure has increased. The Argentine Consensus Group for Normalization of Respiratory Endoscopy was created in 1995 to unify criteria for several aspects of endoscopic practice. The official recommendations of the Group and of the Argentine Society of Bronchoesophagology define the indications (diagnostic, therapeutic and investigative) and contraindications (absolute, relative and high risk) for bronchoscopy. Required pre-bronchoscopic studies for routine and special cases are defined, as are indications for premedication, intubation and general anesthesia. Requirements for the setting, support personal and instruments are specified. Guidelines for topical anesthesia and techniques for insertion of the endoscope are suggested. The technique, indications and limitations of bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brushing and biopsy and transbronchial needle biopsy are defined. The utility and limitations of the various therapeutic techniques of bronchoscopy (laser, radiotherapy and stents) are defined. Norms to safeguard the patient, instruments and operator are emphasized.