ENDOSCOPIC USE OF THE BIPLANE FLUOROSCOPE

WHILE the biplane fluoroscope is not needed in the majority of cases of foreign body, nevertheless there are instances in which its use is either extremely helpful or absolutely necessary. It has been my fortunate experience to have worked in a hospital where since 1931 the biplane fluoroscope has been available (Presbyterian Hospital, and Wesley Hospital since 1942). Because of its convenience, the rule was made that the biplane fluoroscope was to be used on most opaque foreign bodies. As a result there were many cases in which the biplane fluoroscope proved effective. In the majority of instances the fluoroscope was not actually necessary, but in some cases it was valuable when something went amiss. The use of the fluoroscope was not in any way a substitute for the usual technic but was only an added safeguard. Of the group of cases in which the biplane fluoroscope was of aid,