Fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the elderly.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the elderly, the bronchoscopy records of 1000 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 423 were in-patients aged 65 years or over. This population was further subdivided into 'young' elderly (65-74 years old) and 'old' elderly (75+ years old). The indications for bronchoscopy in each group were similar and included haemoptysis, chest radiographic changes suggestive of collapse or consolidation, and hilar or paratracheal shadowing. The results in each group were also comparable and bronchoscopy was not tolerated in only five. A visible tumour was present in 165 patients. We conclude that, like upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the elderly is safe, well tolerated and has a significant diagnostic yield.