The Rigid Bronchoscope (circa 1950s) was manufactured by American Cystoscope Makers Inc. and consists of a hollow outer scope with suction/irrigation channels and removable inner scope complete with optical channel, external light source and a biopsy tool. Endoscopy of the lung permits direct visualization and intervention within the trachea and central airways, enabling complex therapeutic procedures, e.g. foreign body removal, tumor debulking, stent deployment, and treatment of massive hemoptysis (bleeding within the Lung’s large airways). General anesthesia is required during this procedure with a rigid bronchoscope.
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