Comparison of tracheobronchial suction catheters in humans. Visualization by fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Tracheobronchial suctioning was performed in 20 patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic bronchoscopic examination. The effect of a single suctioning procedure on the airway mucosa was observed and recorded by still and cine photography through a fiberoptic bronchoscope. A variety of catheters of various designs were evaluated. All produced a negligible amount of trauma, and none was superior in efficiently evacuating mucus from the airways. Mucosal trauma with tracheobronchial suctioning procedures is more likely due to repetition, vigor, and amount of suction applied, regardless of which type of catheter is used.