Bronchoscopy
Introduction
A bronchoscopy is procedure where the pulmonologist looks into your large airways (the trachea and bronchi) with a bronchoscope. A bronchoscopy is performed on patients with respiratory diseases. The aim of the examination is to obtain a clear picture of the mucous membranes, the presence of infections and any other abnormalities in the lower airways.
In this examination, a thin, flexible viewing tube will be inserted through the mouth or the nose and guided past the vocal chords into the lower airways.
Preparation at home
- if the examination is to be done in the morning, you must not eat or drink anything after midnight.
- if the examination is to take place in the afternoon, you may eat a slice of bread or two rusks with tea or coffee in the morning, but you must not eat or drink anything 4 hours before the examination.
- dress yourself in something comfortable; no tight-fitting clothing must be worn
- arrange transport home.
You may take any prescribed medicines with a sip of water.
If you are a diabetic you should contact your doctor or your diabetes nurse.
Your doctor will ask you
- if you are allergic to any particular medicines
- if you are pregnant
- if you are taking any medication (e.g. bloodthinners, anticoagulants, aspirin)
How long does the examination take?
This varies for each patient but the examination generally does not take longer than 20 minutes. You should, however, bear in mind that the preparation and the after-care will take about 20 minutes.
The examination
- local anaesthetic will be applied to the mouth, the pharynx and/or the nose with a spray.
- you will be asked to lie on the bed.
- the doctor or nurse will give you instructions while the tube is slowly guided into the lower airways. Extra anaesthesia will, if necessary, be given via the bronchoscope.
- the insertion of the tube can sometimes make you feel uncomfortable (cough, dyspnea).
- the airways will not be closed; you can continue breathing normally.
- if necessary, oxygen will be given.
- your pulse rate and oxygen level will be monitored during the examination.
- when the examination is over, you must remain lying down until further instructions.
- it can happen that you will cough up bloody mucus after the examination.
It is possible that, following the examination, there may be some irritation and soreness in your throat. You will find it difficult to swallow because of the local anaesthesia.
After the examination
You must not eat or drink anything until one hour after the examination because your throat has been anaesthetised and, therefore, when eating or drinking, there is a risk of choking. Following the examination, you will go to a ward for observation. You may go home after about 1,5 hours.
You are advised not to drive yourself and, if possible, to come with someone to accompany you to and from the hospital.
The results The doctor, who performed the examination, will give you a provisional result straightaway. A detailed written result will be sent to the doctor who sent you to be examined. However, if biopsy specimens or cultures have been taken, it will be a few days before the results are known. You will be given an appointment to be informed about the results. It may be possible that you will need further examination or treatment. The doctor will discuss this with you.
Complications Complications occur very rarely. However, if following the treatment, you have great difficulty in breathing or develop a fever, cough up a lot of blood or find breathing painful, you should immediately contact your Family Doctor (G.P.) or the Accident and Emergency Department (Spoedeisende Hulp) of our hospital. Telephone number: 070 - 312 44 45.
Finally
If you do have any more questions, please ask them before the examination as, during the examination, talking is difficult.
Edition: February 2010/58