Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure done to examine the trachea, lung, and airways that branch into each lung.

Do not eat or drink anything the night before your procedure if you are scheduled for a morning procedure.
If your procedure is scheduled after 12 noon, you may have a clear liquid breakfast only. Clear liquids include: water, ginger ale, apple juice, cranberry juice, clear broth, or frozen popsicles. Coffee without milk is okay too. Do not have anything else after this.
Discuss with your doctor what medications you should take.
If you are taking medication to thin your blood (e.g., Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, or aspirin), you should check with your doctor about stopping these medications before this test.
Medications that your doctor has instructed you to take can be taken with a small amount of water.
If you wear dentures, they must be removed for the procedure.
Be sure to arrange transportation. Someone must stay with you at the hospital until discharge and drive you home. Transportation will be verified before the procedure. You may use a taxi cab for your transportation only if you have a person accompanying you other than the taxi cab driver. Your procedure may be cancelled if these arrangements are not made.

Consent is signed.
An intravenous needle (IV) is inserted.
You will be given medication to make you sleepy and relaxed and to minimize discomfort.
Your throat and nose will be sprayed with a local anesthetic to numb the gag reflex and nasal passage.
Oxygen will be used throughout the procedure.
You will be in a sitting position on the bed when the doctor inserts a tiny tube through your nose, down your throat, and into the lungs.
Your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored throughout the procedure.
Coughing is expected both during and after the procedure. If you have difficulty with urine leaking out, you may want to bring along a pad or a change of underwear.
The procedure takes about 30-60 minutes.
Recovery time is about 2 hours.