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

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.