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Flexible bronchoscopy is a procedure involving visualization of the inside of a patient's lung with the use of a fiberoptic tool called a bronchoscope. In addition to visualization of the lower airways, through a bronchoscope, we are also able to take fluid (lavage) and tissue (transbronchial biopsy) samples from deep within the lung. This procedure can assist in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases. Additional procedures performed with the aid of bronchoscopy include whole lung lavage, airway dilation, airway stent placement, and removal and/or biopsy of airway lesions. Over the past year, our staff has performed more than 250 bronchoscopic procedures.
Bronchoscopies are performed by a certified staff bronchoscopists and a pulmonary fellow. Children's Hospital Boston provides full anesthesia, nursing, and technical support.
Flexible bronchoscopy is performed on patients in two locations at Children's Hospital Boston:
- Non-emergent, uncomplicated procedures are performed using conscious sedation in our Gastroenterology procedures unit, which consists of two procedure rooms, a recovery room, and full-time nursing staff who assist for both pulmonary and GI procedures;
- Emergent or more technically challenging procedures are performed in the hospital operating room suite, where rooms are fully staffed by an anesthesiologist and O.R. nurses.
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Bronchoscopy
