Bronchoscopy Diagram Maker - Icon Placement Tool

Common Uses:

• Diagnostic purposes - to identify infections, tumours, bleeding sources, or other abnormalities
• Collection of tissue samples (biopsy) or fluid for testing
• Removal of foreign objects or mucus plugs
• Treatment delivery (in specific conditions)

Procedure Overview:

The procedure is typically performed under sedation (not general anesthesia). The bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth and guided down the throat into the airways. Most patients can go home the same day after a brief recovery period.

Types:

• Flexible bronchoscopy - most common, uses a bendable tube
• Rigid bronchoscopy - uses a straight, hollow metal tube (less common, used for specific procedures, and usually by thoracic surgeons)

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Be sure patients are NPO midnight before their bronchoscopy!

Patients may eat 2 hours after the bronchoscopy.

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If asked to consent a patient for bronchoscopy, we have seen the following numbers used when quoting risk (Stahl et al., 2015):

• risk of significant bleeding, or collapsed lung: 1 in 1,000

• risk of death: less than 1 in 10,000

  

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Why are patients sometimes febrile after bronchoscopy?

Postulated to be two reasons:

1. Introduction of oral microbes into the lungs
2. During BAL, water introduced into the lungs causes alveolar macrophages to release cytokines (Krause, 1997) </aside>

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How to orient yourself in the bronchoscopy suite:

• Introduce yourself to any respiratory therapists, nurses, techs or support staff. See if they need a hand getting any materials assembled.
• Introduce yourself to the patient, and ask for permission to be in the room during the procedure. Remind them they are in good hands with your staff and fellow.
• Have a pair of gloves, an N95 (or similar respirator as per your institution), gown and eye protection ready — bronchoscopy is an aerosol-generating medical procedure (AGMP)!
• Read up on the patient — what is the indication for bronchoscopy? How many samples are you expecting to get where are the samples going to be obtained from?
• Bring up any relevant imaging for the patient (usually a CT scan) on a close by computer. </aside>

Trying Out Bronchoscopy at Home