what is happening during bronchoscopy

What should you expect Bronchoscopy?

The preparation: You may be asked to come to the department on the day of the test, or to arrive the day before and stay overnight. You will be asked not to eat or drink for at least 4-6 hours before the test. If you are not sure when this is, please ask a member of staff. When you come into the department, a doctor will explain the test to you and will usually ask you to sign a consent form. This is to ensure that you understand the test and its implications. If you have any anxieties or queries don't be afraid to ask. Please tell the doctor or nurse if you have any allergies to any drugs; they will also want to know about any previous bronchoscopy you have had, if you are asthmatic, and any change in your condition since you were last seen in the clinic.

During the test: You may be given a pre-medication injection prior to the examination which will cause your mouth to feel dry and make you feel sleepy. In the examination room you will be made comfortable on a couch in a sitting or lying position. The doctor may give you an injection into a vein in your arm or hand. A local anaesthetic will be sprayed into your nose and through your mouth to the back of your throat. This tastes rather bitter. Sometimes the anaesthetic is given through a fine needle directly through the skin in the front of the neck. This procedure may make you cough but will not interfere with your breathing. As the tube is passed, more local anaesthetic may be sprayed through the bronchoscope to numb the voice box. This may make you cough, but as the anaesthetic takes effect your throat will relax. When the tube is in the bronchi the worst part of the test is over. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to examine the areas carefully. A soft plastic tube may be placed just inside your other nostril to give you some extra oxygen, and a plastic clip may be placed over a finger to monitor the amount of oxygen in your body and the pulse rate. On occasion it is necessary to use an X-ray machine to guide the passage of the bronchoscope to certain parts of your lungs. When the examination is finished the bronchoscope is removed quickly and easily, causing little discomfort.