Bronchoscopy

• Biopsy of tissue
• Collection of sputum
• Fluid put into the lungs and then removed (bronchoalveolar lavage or BAL) to diagnose lung disorders
• Removal of secretions, blood, mucus plugs, or growths (polyps) to clear airways
• Control of bleeding in the bronchi
• Removing foreign objects or other blockages
• Laser therapy or radiation treatment for bronchial tumors
• Placement of a small tube (stent) to keep an airway open (stent placement)
• Draining an area of pus (abscess)

In most cases, the flexible bronchoscope is used, not the rigid bronchoscope. This is because the flexible type has less risk of damaging the tissue. People can also handle the flexible type better. And it provides better access to smaller areas of the lung tissue.

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Hole in the airway (bronchial perforation)
• Irritation of the airways (bronchospasm)
• Irritation of the vocal cords (laryngospasm)
• Air in the space between the lung covering (pleural space) that causes the lung to collapse (pneumothorax)

In some cases, a person may not be able to have a bronchoscopy. Reasons for this can include:

• Severe narrowing or blockage of the trachea (tracheal stenosis)
• High blood pressure in the lungs’ blood vessels (pulmonary hypertension)
• Severe coughing or gagging
• Low oxygen levels

If you have high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercapnia) or severe shortness of breath, you may need to be on a breathing machine before the procedure. This is done so oxygen can be sent right into your lungs while the bronchoscope is in place.

Give your doctor a list of all of the medicines you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. You may need to stop certain medicines before the procedure. You will be asked to sign an informed consent document. This document explains the benefits and risks of the procedure. If the procedure is being done on an outpatient basis, arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

You may have your procedure as an outpatient. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done as part of a longer stay in the hospital. You may be asked to remove your clothes. If so, you will be given a hospital gown to wear. You may be asked to remove jewelry or other objects. You will sit on a procedure table with the head raised like a chair. An IV (intravenous) line may be put into your arm or hand. You may be given antibiotics before and after the procedure. You will be awake during the procedure. You will be given medicine to help you relax (sedative). You will also be given a liquid medicine to numb your nose and throat. For a rigid bronchoscopy, you will be given general anesthesia. This is medicine that prevents pain and lets you sleep through the procedure. You may be given oxygen through a nasal tube or face mask. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing will be watched during the procedure. Numbing medicine will be sprayed into the back of your throat. This is to prevent gagging as the bronchoscope is passed down your throat. The spray may have a bitter taste to it. Once the tube passes down your throat the gagging feeling will go away. You won’t be able to talk or swallow saliva during the procedure. Saliva will be suctioned from your mouth as needed. The doctor will move the bronchoscope down your throat and into the airways. You may have some mild pain. Your airway will not be blocked. You can breathe around the bronchoscope. You will be given extra oxygen if needed. As the bronchoscope is moved down, the lungs will be examined. Tissue samples or mucus may be taken for testing. Other procedures may be done as needed. This may include giving medicine or stopping bleeding. When the exam and other procedures are done, the bronchoscope will be taken out.

After the procedure, you will spend some time in a recovery room. You may be sleepy and confused when you wake up from general anesthesia or sedation. Your healthcare team will watch your vital signs, such as your heart rate and breathing. A chest X-ray may be done right after the procedure. This is to make sure your lungs are okay. You may be told to gently cough up and spit your saliva into a basin. This is so a nurse can check your secretions for blood. You may have some mild pain in your throat. You will not be allowed to eat or drink until your gag reflex has returned. You may notice some throat soreness and pain with swallowing for a few days. This is normal. Using throat lozenges or gargle may help. If you had an outpatient procedure, you will go home when your doctor says it’s OK. Someone will need to drive you home. At home, you can go back to your normal diet and activities if instructed by your doctor. You may need to not do strenuous physical activity for a few days.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the below:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider
• Redness or swelling of the IV site
• Blood or other fluid leaking from the IV site
• Coughing up significant amounts of blood
• Chest pain
• Severe hoarseness
• Trouble breathing