A simple, new technique for identifying the cut line in the bronchus in bronchoplasty using a butterfly needle

Abstract

The standard method of bronchoscopic guidance used to identify a bronchial or tracheal tumour during surgery has some disadvantages: (1) it is impossible to identify the incision site in a distal bronchus; (2) bronchoscopy must be performed by a skilled physician; and (3) time and effort are wasted during the operation. We report a new and simple technique to locate endobronchial tumours. Our technique uses a butterfly needle connected to a syringe kept half-full of normal saline solution via an extension tube. The bronchus is punctured using the needle, keeping the syringe under negative pressure. We found that a tumour could be detected through simple observation of the saline solution within the syringe upon bronchial puncture, whereby the tumour is positively detected through the absence of bubble production and ruled out through the production of bubbles. This technique will locate a bronchial or tracheal tumour without bronchoscopy. In addition, it saves time, which benefits the patient.