ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of bronchoscope in the treatment of transbronchial broncholiths.MethodsThe clinical data, treatment methods, clinical efficacy and complications of 18 patients who were diagnosed with transbronchial broncholiths were etrospectively reviewed in the Respiratory Department of the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University during January 2010 to December 2017.ResultsEighteen patients were diagnosed by bronchoscopy with a total of 22 pieces of stone for transbronchial broncholiths. An elective surgical procedure was performed in 2 cases. Six cases were treated with removing broncholiths once by foreign body forceps under bronchoscope. Repeated treatments were performed in 10 patients. Two cases underwent massive hemorrhage in the process of one-time broncholiths removal by foreign body forceps under bronchoscope, and one case suffered from bronchial fistula after the broncholiths removal, all of the above 3 patients underwent surgical treatment. All patients were followed up for 5 months without any long-term complications.ConclusionsRemoval of broncholithiasis by bronchoscopic forceps can effectively treat transbronchial broncholiths with low complication and high safety. If the broncholiths cause severe distal lung tissue injury, massive hemoptysis, bronchial fistula, or the diagnosis is unclear, surgical treatment is required. When the transbronchial broncholith is difficult to remove completely at once, batch could be chosen. First, to remove one portion which causes the obstruction of airway; and then, to remove the left part of the transbronchial broncholith by stages.
