Relative attributes of rigid, flexible and virtual bronchoscopy

	Rigid	Flexible	Virtual
Invasiveness	+++	+++	-
Examination of upper lobe airways	-	+++	+++
Tissue sampling	+++	+++	-
Level of anesthesia/sedation	+++	+	-
Airway stent placement	+++	++	-
Endobronchial tumor debulking	+++	+	-
Technology availability	+	+++	+

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