Bronchoscopy

What to bring with you:

• Your health insurance card;
• A list of your medications;
• A list of your allergies;
• Your eye glasses;
• Your hearing aids or other prostheses.

 Do not bring:

• Valuables (remove your jewellery and piercings);
• Nail polish;
• Perfume.

A family member or friend must accompany you back home. 

Please make the necessary arrangements before arriving at the hospital. It would not be safe for you to return home alone. Your procedure may be postponed if you have no one to accompany you back home.

On arriving in the Endoscopy Unit:

• You will be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown.
• A nurse will take your blood pressure and pulse.
• The nurse will check your medical history.
• The nurse inserts an intravenous access to your arm.
• You will then be directed to the waiting room.

Examination procedure

• Someone will walk with you to the bronchoscopy room.
• You will be able to speak with your physician for a few minutes before the examination begins.
• A nurse and a respiratory therapist are present throughout the procedure.
• Oxygen is administered to you through a nasal cannula.
• Your throat is frozen with an aerosol spray.
• You receive intravenous medication to help you relax.
• The physician inserts the bronchoscope through your mouth to examine your lungs.
• You are still able to breathe.
• You may cough a little, but your coughing will soon subside.
• The procedure lasts about 20 minutes.

After your bronchoscopy

• You will be taken to the recovery room on a gurney.
• You will be administered intravenous liquids.
• You may rest for at least 30 minutes.
• Your physician will give you instructions to follow after your procedure and details concerning your next appointment.

After your exam

• To perform your bronchoscopy, your throat and bronchi were frozen with an aerosol spray. This will prevent you from swallowing normally for a few hours.
• To avoid choking, do not eat or drink for two hours after your procedure.
• You may have a few small sips of cold water. Once the water goes down well, you can resume your regular diet.
• You may have a sore throat or a raspy voice.
• You may have a slight fever for 24 hours.
• You may be slightly out-of-breath, or spit up pinkish or blood-stained mucus.

Since you were given a sedative, we advise you to follow these instructions for the next 24 hours:

•  Do no operate a motor vehicle.
•  Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
•  Limit your intake of sleeping pills or anxiety medication.
•  Avoid activities that require coordination and alertness.

Contact your physician or go to the nearest emergency room:

• if you notice significant shortness of breath;
• if you feel chest pain;
• if you spit up more than 60 ml (2 tablespoons) of blood.

Follow your physician’s instructions.