Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (1823)
Key points below
What is a bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is a test that lets your doctor look at your child’s airways in the lungs. A bronchoscopy is performed using a thin tube called a bronchoscope.What is a bronchoscope?
The bronchoscope is a flexible tube. It has a light and camera on the end. This lets your doctor see all of the parts that make up your child’s airways.What is a bronchoalveolar lavage?
Sometimes samples of mucus are taken from the small airways. A small amount of salt water, called saline, is put through the bronchoscope. This rinses the airway. The saline and mucus are suctioned back through the tube. Bronchoalveolar lavage is also called BAL.What happens in the Pre-Op Area?
You will meet the doctor who will do procedure. You will also meet with an anesthesiologist. Your child will be given oral medicine to relax them. The medicine may also make your child sleepy.
What happens during the procedure?
In the Operating Room (OR):
- Monitors will be placed to watch your child’s breathing and heartbeat.
- An IV will be placed. Some medicine may be given by IV during the bronchoscopy.
- Your child may be given medicine to numb the lining of the nose. This is given by nose drops.
- A breathing tube may be placed in either your child’s nose or mouth.
- Your doctor will put the bronchoscope through the nose or mouth, down the back of the throat, through the vocal cords and into the airways.
- A video recording of your child’s airway may be made.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your child will be moved to the recovery room.
- Their nose and throat will be numb for about 30 minutes after the procedure.
- Your child may be sleepy.
- In the recovery room the nurse will offer your child a drink. If your child can drink liquids, they may have regular food.
- The IV will be taken out when your child can drink liquids.
- Your child may go home once awake and tolerating food and drink.
Where do parents wait during the procedure?
Parents may wait in the waiting room. When the test is done, you can stay with your child in the recovery room. Your child will need to stay in the recovery room for at least 2 hours after the procedure.
What do I need to know before the test?
Medicine
If your child normally takes medicine in the morning, the pre-op nurses will tell you if you should give it on the day of the test. If you give the medicine, give it with a very small sip of water or clear juice.
Eating and drinking
If you do not follow these directions, the test may have to be cancelled.
Newborn to 1 year old
Do not give your child any solid food 8 hours before the test.
Do not give formula 6 hours before the test.
Your child may have breast milk until 4 hours before the test.
Your child may have clear liquids until 2 hours before the test.
Children older than 1 year old
Do not give your child any solid food 8 hours before the test.
Your child may have clear liquids until 2 hours before the test.
Types of clear liquids to offer
Water, fruit juice, Kool-Aid®, and Pedialyte®.
No red or cloudy liquids.
What do I do on the day of the appointment?
- Go to the Day Surgery area 2 hours before the appointment.
- Ask for directions to Day Surgery at the Welcome Desk.
- In the Day Surgery area, go to registration. Tell the clerk your child’s name and time of your appointment.
What do I do when my child goes home?
- Your child may have a sore throat after the test. They may also have a hard time swallowing. This will go away within 24 hours after the test.
- Your child may develop a cough after the test.
- If a BAL was done, your child may experience fever for 1 to 2 days after the procedure. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given.
- Test results may take up to 4 days to come back. Other tests may take longer. When they are done, your doctor will discuss the results with you.