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Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy procedure is a visual examination and inspection of the voice box, throat and air passages inside the chest using an instrument called a bronchoscope. It will not interfere with your breathing.

Bronchoscope examination may be used to investigate and diagnose:

  • an abnormal chest x-ray  e.g.  a shadow on the lung
  • coughing up blood or phlegm
  • to remove objects that may have been inhaled e.g. a peanut, a tooth, a fishbone
  • a persistent cough or unexplained breathlessness.

What to expect

You must not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the examination. You should bring with you any chest x-rays and CT scans.

On admission into the Endosopy Unit your medical history is recorded by a nurse and further information about the procedure is given. A consent form is discussed and you are requested to sign it, indicating that you understand the procedure, risks and complications and you consent to have the procedure. You will have the opportunity to discuss and ask any questions with the nurse or doctor.

In the examination room the back of your throat will be sprayed with local anaesthetic. You will be given an intravenous sedative by a small injection into a vein in your arm or hand. The examination will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

After the procedure you will spend time in the endoscopy recovery room (probably 1 to 2 hours) to sleep off the sedative and to allow staff to monitor you (take your blood pressure, pulse and respiratory recordings, etc). Because you have been sedated intravenously it is important that you know that you should not drive a car, operate machinery or make any important decisions for 12 hours as the sedation impairs your reflexes and judgements. Therefore you will need to arrange for someone else to take you home. It is recommended to have an adult at home with you afterwards.

If biopsies are taken for examination, your GP and specialist will be sent the results within 5 to 7 working days. A medical typed report will be sent to your GP and the specialist. Follow-up information and recommendations will be given to you by your specialist prior to discharge.

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  • Bronchoscopy (PDF, 124.5 KB)
    Patient Information Brochure

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