Innovations in Bronchoscopy: New Technologies and Techniques.
A pulmonologist who is an expert in lung disorders performs bronchoscopy. A pulmonologist who is an expert in lung disorders performs bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a technique that uses a narrow, illuminated tube to examine directly into the lungs' airways. Experts put a bronchoscope in the nose or mouth. A bronchoscope is moved down the throat and windpipe and into the airways. Your pulmonologist can evaluate with the help of a bronchoscope voice box, the trachea, large airways to the lungs, and smaller branches of the bronchi.
There are two types of bronchoscopes:
- flexible
- rigid.
Both bronchoscopes come in different widths. You may find a rigid bronchoscope which is a straight tube in appearance.
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| Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy |
Doctors use it within the bronchi to:
- Doctors can remove a large number of secretions or blood.
- Prevent bleeding
- It removes foreign particles
- It removes the diseased tissue.
- Pulmonologists can perform procedures, such as stents and other treatments.
- Pulmonologists can view the larger airways.
Experts use a flexible bronchoscope more often. Your doctor may push it down into the smallest airways without the rigid scope (bronchioles).
Surgeons can use a flexible bronchoscope to:
- Experts can place a breathing tube in the airway to help give oxygen.
- It suctions out secretions.
- Surgeons can go for a biopsy test.
- Doctors can put medicine into the lungs.
What are the reasons you might require a bronchoscopy?
Doctors perform bronchoscopy to diagnose and treat lung problems such as:
- Your doctor can diagnose tumours or bronchial cancer
- Experts can work on airway blockage or obstruction
- Doctors can make efforts on narrowed areas in airways
- Your doctor can assess inflammation and infections like TB, pneumonia, and fungal or parasitic lung diseases.
- Your pulmonologist can work on interstitial pulmonary disease
- They may discover different causes of persistent cough
- They may evaluate the causes of coughing up blood
- Spots seen on chest X-rays
- They may trace your vocal cord paralysis
Your surgeon can work on diagnostic procedures or treatments with bronchoscopy including
- Biopsy test for tissue
- They may collect sputum.
- Your doctor can evaluate lung disorders. They may put fluid into the lungs and then remove it to trace lung disorders.
- Your doctor may discard secretions, blood, mucus plugs, or polyps to clear airways.
- They can prevent bleeding in the bronchi.
- Surgeons may remove foreign particles or other blockages.
- They may use laser therapy or radiation treatment for bronchial tumours.
- They can work on stent placement.
- Experts can drain areas of pus.
- Your pulmonologist may also have other reasons to advise a bronchoscopy.
What are the risks of bronchoscopy?
Mostly, experts use a flexible bronchoscope, not a rigid one. They use it because the flexible type has less risk of damaging the tissue. Patients can also handle the flexible type better. A flexible bronchoscope provides a better approach to smaller areas of the lung tissue.
The risks of this procedure may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Recurrent infection
- Minor hole in the airway (bronchial perforation)
- Some irritation of the airways (bronchospasm)
- laryngospasm
- Pneumothorax or lung collapse
Your perils may vary depending on your health and other factors. You can discuss with the medico any concerns you have. In a couple of cases, a patient may not be able to have a bronchoscopy.
Some reliable reasons for this can include:
- A patient may have severe narrowing or blockage of the trachea (tracheal stenosis)
- A patient may have high BP in the blood vessels of the lungs. Experts treat it as pulmonary hypertension.
- A patient may suffer from Severe coughing
- A patient may carry low oxygen levels
Your doctor may trace high carbon dioxide levels in the blood that result in acute shortness of breath. In such a condition, the patient may need to be on a breathing machine before the bronchoscopy. Doctors use such techniques so they can send more oxygen into your lungs.
You can submit a list of all of the medications you take. The checklist may include prescription and OTC medications, vitamins, and herbs. You can discontinue several drugs before bronchoscopy. Your doctor may ask you to sign an informed consent document. If your doctor performs bronchoscopy on an outpatient basis, you can arrange for someone to drive you to your residence.
What happens during bronchoscopy?
Pulmonologists follow a bronchoscopy as mentioned below:
- You will sit on a procedure table with your head raised like a chair.
- Your doctor may administer an IV (intravenous) line that may give into your arm or hand.
- Your doctor may put you on antibiotics before and after the procedure.
- Your surgeon may administer medicine to help you relax. He will give liquid medicine to numb your nose and throat. For a rigid bronchoscopy, your doctor gives general anaesthesia. This process is the medicine that prevents pain and lets you sleep through the procedure.
- Your surgeon may put you on oxygen through a nasal tube or face mask. They will record your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing during bronchoscopy.
- Your doctor may spread numbing medicine into the back of your throat. The numbing spray may have a harsh taste. Once the tube passes down, the gagging feeling will go away.
- Your doctor will suction your saliva from the mouth as needed.
- Your doctor may shift the bronchoscope down your throat and into the airways. They may put on extra oxygen if needed. You can breathe around the bronchoscope. They plan their actions to avoid obstructing your airway.
- Your surgeon may shift down the bronchoscope to evaluate your lungs. They may collect tissue samples for testing purposes.
- After all exams and procedures, they can take out a bronchoscope.
You will spend some time in a recovery room following the treatment. Healthcare staff and nurses will monitor your vital indicators, such as heart rate and respiration. For a few days, you may experience throat irritation and difficulty swallowing.