Case report

Treatment of bronchial airway obstruction using a rotating tip microdebrider: a case report

Marcus P Kennedy , Rodolfo C Morice , Carlos A Jimenez and George A Eapen

Department of Interventional Pulmonology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2007, 2:16doi:10.1186/1749-8090-2-16

Published:	26 March 2007

Abstract

Background

Central airway obstruction is a common complication of lung cancer. The microdebrider is a new device available for treatment of central airway obstruction.

Case Description

We report a case a 59-yr-old male with T3N2M1 non-small cell lung cancer with malignant distal left mainstem obstruction treated successfully with a novel elongated rotating tip microdebrider via rigid bronchoscopy with sufficient length to reach distal bronchial lesions.

Discussion and Conclusion

The microdebrider is an excellent addition to the spectrum of interventions available for the management of central airway obstruction with advantages including accuracy and immediate removal of debris without a need for separate suctioning or limitation in oxygenation.