In this Article

• What is bronchoscopy?
• What are the indications for bronchoscopy?
• What are the potential complications of bronchoscopy?
• How does a patient prepare for bronchoscopy?
• What should a patient expect during bronchoscopy?
• What can a patient expect after a bronchoscopy?
• What's new in bronchoscopy?
• Bronchoscopy At A Glance
• Bronchoscopy Index
• Find a local Pulmonologist in your town

What are the potential complications of bronchoscopy?

Complications of bronchoscopy are relatively rare and most often minor. It is important to realize that all procedures may involve risk or complications from both known and unforeseen causes, because individual patients vary in their anatomy and response to medications. Therefore, there is no guarantee that a procedure can be free of complications. The following is a list of potential complications:

• Nose bleeding (epistaxis)

• Vocal cord injury

• Irregular heart beats

• Lack of oxygen to the body's tissues

• Heart injury due to medications or lack of oxygen

• Bleeding from the site of biopsy

• Punctured lung (pneumothorax)

• Damage to teeth (from rigid bronchoscopy)

• Complications from pre-medications or general anesthesia

(This list is not meant to be inclusive of all possible complications, but to provide information for your greater awareness concerning bronchoscopy.)

How does a patient prepare for bronchoscopy?

Usually, patients undergoing bronchoscopy should take nothing by mouth after midnight prior to the procedure. Routine medications should be taken with sips of water except for those drugs that can enhance the risk of bleeding. These medications are aspirin products, blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin™), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as ibuprofen. (These drugs must be discontinued at varying numbers of days before the procedure, depending on the medication. Patients must consult their doctors for the appropriate schedule in their particular situation.) The doctor will also want to know of any drug allergies or major drug reactions that the patient may have experienced.