Bronchoscopic Examination With a Disposable Dental Suction Tube

Abstract

Background. During transoral bronchoscopic examination under local anesthesia, we do not use any premedication for oral secretions. We encountered a patient with oral secretions that increased without atropine sulfate for premedication. The side effects of atropine sulfate are known to include glaucoma and incontinence in elderly patients. Purpose. We should not give atropine sulfate to elderly patients due to the risk of glaucoma and incontinence. For continuous suctioning of oral secretions, we insert a disposable dental suction tube to the oral cavity. Methods. In 32 cases, time-sequence changes in percutaneous oxgen saturation, pulse rate and blood pressure were measured during bronchoscopic procedures without atropine sulfate and a disposable dental suction tube was inserted. Supplemental oxygen was administrated transnasally at a now rate of 3 l/min. Results and Conclusions. There was no significant difference in the time required for measurement with a dental suction tube to continuously vacuum oral secretions. The disposable dental suction tube was highly effective during transoral bronchoscopic procedures even when atropin sulfate wasnot given as a premedication.