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Bronchoscopy

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy

What the risks are:

The main risks from bronchoscopy are:

• Infection
• Bleeding from biopsy sites

There is also a small risk of:

• Arrhythmias
• Heart attack
• Low blood oxygen 
• Pneumothorax

In the rare instances when general anesthesia is used, there is some risk for:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Depressed heart rate
• Change in blood pressure

There is a small risk for:

• Heart attack
• Kidney damage

When a biopsy is taken, there is a risk of hemorrhage. Some bleeding is common. The technician or nurse will monitor the amount of bleeding.

There is a significant risk of choking if anything (including water) is swallowed before the anesthetic wears off.

Special considerations:

After the procedure, your gag reflex will return. However, until it does, do not eat or drink anything. To test if the gag reflex has returned, place a spoon on the back of your tongue for a few seconds with light pressure. If there is no gagging, wait 15 minutes and attempt it again. Make sure that no small or sharp objects are used to test this reflex.

References:

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000: 639-641.

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:2474.

• Review Date: 3/2/2006
• Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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