Bronchoscopy: procedures, safety and risks

Definition

What is bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is one of the examination procedures to find out problems in the airways (bronchi) using a telescope.

This procedure is usually performed by a pulmonologist. Bronchoscopy is most often performed using a flexible bronchoscope. However, in certain situations, such as bleeding in the lungs, the doctor may use rigid instruments.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the most common reasons someone is asked to undergo a bronchoscopy are a persistent cough, infection, or something unusual that is seen on a chest X-ray or other test. This procedure can also be used to collect mucus or tissue samples to remove foreign objects from the airways or lungs.

In addition, you will be advised to perform a bronchoscopy procedure with the aim of:

• Look for the cause of a problem in the respiratory tract, such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, or a long-term (chronic) cough
• Take a sample of your tissue for other tests, such as x-rays and chest CT scans, to show problems with the lungs or lymph nodes in the chest
• Diagnose lung disease by collecting tissue or mucus (sputum) as a sample for examination
• Diagnose and determine the extent of lung cancer
• Remove objects that obstruct the respiratory tract
• Check and treat the respiratory tract
• Control bleeding
• Detects threat areas in the respiratory tract that are narrowed and are causing problems
• Treating airway cancer using radioactive materials (brachytherapy).

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before doing this procedure?

Complications from bronchoscopy are rare and usually are not serious. However, it does not rule out that this procedure can have severe consequences. Complications are possible if the airways become inflamed or damaged due to disease.

The following are complications that may occur due to bronchoscopy:

• Bloody. Bleeding may occur when a biopsy is performed. Usually the bleeding is light and can be resolved quickly.

• Torn lung. The airway may be injured during bronchoscopy. If the lung is punctured, air can collect in the space around the lung and cause the lung to collapse.
• Fever. Fever is relatively common after bronchoscopy, but is usually not a cause for concern because it is not associated with an infection.

Process

What should I do before bronchoscopy?

You should consult your doctor about any medications you are taking, including if you have allergies to certain drugs. You will be under anesthesia for this procedure, so it is important that your doctor is aware of any allergies you have. Don't hesitate to discuss with your doctor about this medical procedure.

You will also usually be asked to fast and drink before this procedure is performed. If your doctor instructs you to take medication before this surgery, drink it with just a sip of water.

How is the bronchoscopy procedure performed?

If deemed necessary, your doctor may give you a sedative to make you feel comfortable. Bronchoscopy usually takes less than 15 minutes. The doctor will examine the holes into your lungs with a flexible telescope (bronchoscope).

Your doctor will use a bronchoscope to check your airways. To help make a diagnosis, the doctor may simultaneously perform a biopsy and insert a small amount of fluid in the lungs and then remove it.

What should I do after bronchoscopy?

If you are given a sedative, the effects usually wear off in about two hours. The healthcare provider will let you know what was found during the bronchoscopy process and discuss with you any required treatment or follow-up.

Here are the general things you should keep in mind:

• Don't eat or drink anything for 1-2 hours, until you are able to swallow something without choking.
• After that, you can eat the food as it was, starting with a little water.
• Spit out saliva until you are able to swallow something without choking.
• Do not drive for at least 8 hours after the procedure.
• No smoking, at least 24 hours.

Result

What did the doctor do after I went through the bronchoscopy procedure?

After one to three days, the doctor will usually let you know the results. The doctor will use the results of the bronchoscopy to determine what treatment is right for your lung disease.

If the doctor also performs a biopsy during bronchoscopy, the results will be studied by a pathologist. The results may take longer because examining tissue samples requires more preparation.