Bronchoscopic examination is an established method, most often performed by lung doctors, yet still mandatory in the training of specialists in otolaryngology. Little has so far been published on the safety and diagnostic and therapeutic value of this procedure in our country.Specialists or residents in otolaryngology performed 140 flexible bronchoscopies in 132 consecutive patients during 1993-2000. Local anaesthesia was used in 132 and general anaesthesia in 8. There were 59 outpatient and 81 inpatient procedures. The medical records were examined retrospectively.The indication for bronchoscopy was suspected cancer in 98 cases. At the time of the examination 78 patients had intrathoracic malignant disease. Diagnostic sensitivity in bronchogenic cancer (n = 65) was 71%. Diagnostic sensitivity when tumour was endoscopically visible (n = 41) and non-visible (n = 37) was 85 % and 49% respectively. No cancer was found in patients with haemoptysis as the only symptom (n = 11). No serious complications occurred.Bronchoscopy, including examination for malignant disease was performed safely and with good results. The number of bronchoscopic examinations on non-cancer or classical otolaryngologic patients would probably be too low to maintain the skills and secure good education in our department.