Common reasons for needing bronchoscopy are a persistent cough, infection or something unusual seen on a chest X-ray or other test.
In Singapore, the bronchoscopy procedure usually is done as a day procedure under local anaesthesia and sedation. You may be required to fast for at least 6 hours before the procedure. During the bronchoscopy, a thin tube (bronchoscope) is passed through your nose or mouth, down your throat and into your lungs. This method could also be used in order to obtain tissue samples or to remove blockages from the lungs.
Before the procedure, a local anaesthetic is given to numb the throat and nose followed by sedation given through a vein. On the average the whole procedure will take half an hour. After the procedure you will be monitored for 4 hours in the day surgery room.
During some procedures, special devices may be passed through the bronchoscope, such as a tool to obtain a biopsy, an electrocautery probe to control bleeding or a laser to reduce the size of an airway tumor. Special techniques are used to guide the collection of biopsies to ensure the desired area of the lung is sampled.