Use of the Fibroxy (TM) mask for bronchial fibrescopy in intensive therapyunit.

Bronchial fibrescopy in intensive therapy patients raises the problem of ox ygenation during the procedure. The Fibroxy(TM) mask allows fibrescopy with simultaneous O-2 administration and manual or mechanical ventilation. This study, which included ten patients, assessed the benefits of this device. During fibrescopy, the heart rate, the mean arterial blood pressure, and th e arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) remained unchanged and only one short episode of desaturation occurred. The satisfaction index was high. However , this mask did not fit closely to the patient's face, and an additional as sistant was required for efficient ventilation. Moreover, end-tidal CO2 cou ld not be monitored satisfactorily. After some improvements, this device se ems to be of value for bronchial fibrescopy in intensive therapy unit. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.