To evaluate the application value of bedside fiberoptic bronchoscopy (BFB) on airway management in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

The clinical data of 956 ICU patients who underwent BFB from January 2008 to December 2015 in the Central Hospital of Lishui City were enrolled in this study. The route of BFB entrance, destination, therapeutic effect, sputum culture and complication were summarized and recorded.

Totally 956 cases of critically ill patients were treated with BFB of 1 321 times, and 929 cases were treated by artificial airway, 25 cases by nasal endoscope, and 2 cases by endoscopy. Operating purpose was given priority to the secretion clearance and atelectasis treatment in 95.08% patients (909/956). Eight hundred and fifty-two patients (89.12%) with pulmonary infection were given antibiotics combined with 1 126 times of BFB to remove secretions, and the symptoms, signs and laboratory indicators were all improved postoperatively. Fifty-seven atelectasis patients underwent BFB under direct vision with lung lavage of 142 times, and the lung recruitment rate was 91.23% (52/57). At the same time, the culture positive of sputum specimens rate was 66.13%(289/437). The main complications were hypoxia, arrhythmia, trachea hemorrhage after operation, and there was no serious adverse reaction.

The application of BFB on airway management in critically ill patients has better diagnosis and treatment value, and is worth to be popularized.