Bronchoscopy, indications, safety and complications

Objectives: To review the safety, indications, complications of flexible fi beroptic bronchoscopies performed at university teaching hospital, and to c orrelate the bronchoscopic findings with radiology, histology, and history of smoking. Methods: A total of 124 consecutive flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopies were reviewed in the last 3 years. A special form that contains personal data, indications, premedications, route of insertion, bronchoscopic findings, an d complications in subjects-undergone bronchoscopy was completed. Results: A suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis (31%), lung mass (19%) and h emoptysis (18%) were the most common indications. Hypoxemia(14%) during pro cedure and pneumothorax post procedure were the most common complications. Mortality rate was 0%. For 57% of subjects who had histology, lung cancer ( 44%), and tuberculosis (15.5%) were commonly found. Lung cancer (72%) and t uberculosis granuloma (18%) were mainly responsible for narrow segment duri ng bronchoscopy. A radiological tumor like mass was found histopathological ly to be as lung cancer in 86% and as tuberculous granuloma in 5%. About 84 % of lung cancer patients were either smokers (57%) or ex-smokers (27%) as compared to only 35% in smokers and 13% in ex-smokers in patients without l ung cancer, P-value <0.01. Conclusions: Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed safely whene ver indicated. Complications occurred were minor and self limiting. Appropr iate preparation, and close supervision and adherence to the protocol were essential for a successful and safe procedure.