Bronchoscopy Procedure

Bronchoscopy Procedure

The procedure is done either in the operating room or bronchoscopy suite. It is most often performed by passing a flexible fiber-optic tube (called a bronchoscope) through the nose or mouth down the trachea to the bronchi (See Figure 8).

Each lung is visualized independently by passing the bronchoscope down each bronchi and all segmental and subsegmental bronchi. Samples of lung tissue and cultures can be obtained. All of these samples are useful in determining if there is rejection or infection present.

It is preferred that patients not eat for 8-12 hours prior to bronchoscopy to decrease the risk of aspiration of stomach contents during the procedure. Patients are frequently premedicated with atropine (to minimize oral secretions and bronchospasms), morphine (for analgesia and cough suppression), versed and diazepam (for sedation), and lidocaine for local anesthesia.

Following completion of the bronchoscopy, you will remain in a recovery area with nasal O₂ running until you are fully awake and your gag reflex has returned.

Because you have been sedated, you must have someone to drive you home.

Your doctor will instruct you in any symptoms to report; however, it's not unusual to run a fever for 12-24 hours post bronchoscopy.