What Is Bronchoscopy And What Is It For?

What is bronchoscopy? A bronchoscopy is a diagnostic test that experts have been using since the late 19th century. It allows us to see the airways to the largest bronchi. In addition, it can even be used to treat certain pathologies.

This technique has advanced over time. Doctors used to do it with a rigid steel tube. Nowadays, I use a flexible and longer device that is easier to handle.

Bronchoscopies are one of the fundamental pillars in pulmonology and are used very frequently. Therefore, in this article we will explain everything you need to know about the technique and how it is performed.

What is bronchoscopy and what is it for?

A bronchoscopy, as we pointed out in the introduction, is a procedure that allows visualization of the airways. Experts perform it to diagnose or treat certain respiratory diseases.

To do this, they use a bronchoscope. This is a tube about 60 cm long inserted through the nostrils or mouth. This tube has a chamber at the top that allows you to view the inside of the airway on a screen.

In addition, the bronchoscope allows doctors to introduce other elements into the area. For example, doctors may use tools to obtain tissue samples or to extract a foreign body from the airways.

Currently, the most used bronchoscope is the flexible one. It reaches inaccessible parts of the bronchi and allows more movement. However, medical experts still use the rigid bronchoscope, especially in cases of bleeding or when there is a large foreign body in the airways.

What are the indications for bronchoscopy?

Now that we have found out what bronchoscopy is, we will analyze its indications.

A bronchoscopy is a technique that doctors often use to diagnose possible lung disease. This is why it is usually done in people who have respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty breathing or signs of infection.

In general, bronchoscopy is used when other diagnostic tests have failed to identify the cause of the underlying pathology. In addition, it is important to emphasize that it is also a therapeutic tool. Thus, its main indications are the following:

What is the procedure?

A bronchoscopy is an unpleasant technique for the patient. The procedure itself takes between half an hour and an hour. However, it requires time for preparation and subsequent recovery, so it takes a little longer overall.

To avoid complications, doctors often perform bronchoscopies under general anesthesia, especially when using a rigid bronchoscope, which is more inconvenient. In other cases, doctors administer tranquilizers only for calming and muscle relaxation.

Usually the patient sits or lies on the bed. To perform bronchoscopy, the heart rate and oxygen level must be constantly monitored. The expert can insert the bronchoscope through the nose or mouth. He must do it slowly, avoiding sudden movements.

In some cases, another tube is inserted through which a saline solution is administered. This removes the mucus present so that experts can get better tissue samples. Sometimes, as mentioned earlier, doctors introduce dilation devices, called stents.

Once they have reached the goal of the procedure, doctors must remove the bronchoscope. To do this, gently pull the tube, slowly removing it.

Although it is true that doctors can perform them in emergencies, in many cases bronchoscopies are planned. In this case, it is important to consider all the recommendations offered by doctors.

Because it is a risky bleeding operation, patients should avoid any anticoagulant medication a few days before the procedure. She has to go to the clinic in comfortable clothes and with someone by her side.

Although not all cases require general anesthesia, the medicine to calm the patient can leave him lethargic. For this reason, we recommend that someone accompany the patient after the procedure.

After bronchoscopy, it is important to have a period of rest and monitoring. In the next few hours, complications such as bleeding may occur. Therefore, it is essential that the patient remain under observation for at least a few hours.

In addition, during this period, the effect of anesthetic drugs disappears. Usually, the patient will begin to feel discomfort and numbness. Doctors also prohibit the consumption of food and drink a few hours before bronchoscopy.

Most people have a sore throat or cough. However, if the patient has difficulty breathing, coughing up blood or has a fever, it is vital to consult a doctor.

Risks of the bronchoscopy procedure

Like any other medical intervention, bronchoscopy presents certain risks. However, complications are rare. In fact, it most often derives from anesthesia rather than the technique itself.

Children are often subjected to bronchoscopies. It happens that they ingest small objects that get stuck in the airways. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that, according to a study published in Pediatric Surgery, experts believe that this technique is safe and very useful in establishing the diagnosis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the risks of this intervention are bleeding, lung collapse and fever. Bleeding is self-limiting and tends to stop on its own. Lung collapse occurs when the bronchoscope pierces the lung and air gathers around it.

Bronchoscopy: a technique that is essential in pneumology

Bronchoscopies are relatively simple procedures that offer great diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. This procedure does not usually cause complications and, in most cases, is performed without general anesthesia.

It is one of the most important techniques when it comes to diagnosing cancer. It is also very useful in pediatrics because children swallow small objects that get stuck in the airways. In addition, bronchoscopy allows doctors to perform more and more treatments.