Single-use bronchoscopes for pleural cavity access: cadaveric feasibility study

We conducted a cadaveric feasibility study of two intrapleural applications of single-use bronchoscopes. In Approach 1, a 2.7 mm bronchoscope was used as a visual stylet inside a 20-Fr trocar catheter to confirm pleural entry and drain-tip position. In Approach 2, a 5.0 mm bronchoscope was used as a flexible thoracoscope for limited pleural inspection, aspiration, and direct-vision forceps biopsy; a sprayed-instillation maneuver was performed only to confirm technical deliverability. Approach 1 was attempted and feasible in six hemithoraces of three Thiel-embalmed cadavers. Approach 2 was attempted and feasible in four hemithoraces; it was not attempted in two hemithoraces due to time constraints and a large persistent air leak after Approach (1) No negative-to-positive conversion (new persistent air leak) was observed after Approach (2) These techniques may offer complementary approaches to conventional methods for observing the intrathoracic space and therefore warrant stepwise clinical validation.