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Since the development of the flexible bronchoscope in late 1960s, its use in the management of various pulmonary disorders, especially lung Ca, has expanded tremendously. It is not only of great diagnostic value, with the recent development of various therapeutic modalities such as Nd:YAG laser, tracheobronchial stents, and cryotherapy, but also its value in management of terminal lung Ca has improved dramatically. Its potential in curing early-stage lung Ca presently is being explored. At present, it is at least partially successful in achieving this goal. More importantly, because of lack of the training in RB and widespread usage of FB, it is more likely that its role in the various interventional procedures, such as Nd:YAG laser therapy, tracheobronchial stent deployment, brachytherapy, and cryotherapy, will grow exponentially. Because of availability of a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as APC, PDT, and balloons, interventional pulmonologists are well equipped to improve the quality of life of terminally ill patients with cancer and maybe to cure early stage lung Ca.

This article gives a broad overview of the increasingly important applications of bronchoscopy, flexible (FOB) and rigid (RB), in a modern medical intensive care unit. Special emphasis is made to bronchoscopy use in mechanically ventilated patients. Therapies such as endobronchial stenting and Nd:YAG laser are being used to improve respiratory failure and facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. Practical applications of recent advancements in technology (endobronchial stenting, laser therapy, and so forth), the increasing use of rigid bronchoscopy, and the new generation of flexible bronchoscopes like battery bronchoscopes, and ultra-thin bronchoscopes, are also discussed. The risks, potential benefits, complications, and suggested technique of performing bronchoscopy in mechanically ventilated patients are reviewed.