Bronchoscopy

hi Jackie

The procedure is a thin tube that is put through the nose, in my case they couldnt, so went down my thoat, into the lung to get a biopsy of the tumor.  Too be honest i was petrified, but i look back now and can barely remember it. I was given a small dose of Fentinyl  and felt awake, but not awake. No pain, no after affects. He will be taken back to a recovery room for about half an hour. Its probably the worst of all tests he will go through, but if he can manage to relax (easy said than done} he will be fine.

Hi Jackie

ella has explained the process well.

The tube contains a camera so the medical staff present can see it's progress into the lung on a monitor in the room. (I was a bit miffed that I could not see the monitor as how often do you get the chance to see inside your own body!)

Before the tube is inserted, they do spray local anesthetic up the nose, plus local anesthetic is sprayed via the tube as it makes the journey into the lung.  The tube in the nose was mildly uncomfortable and my throat was a bit croaky for a couple of hours afterwards.  After 30mins rest, I was allowed home.

I was given the choice as to whether or not to have sedation; I chose not to have the sedation.  If I ever have to have another on, I will make the same choice.

There is absolutely no reason to be concerned by the procedure.  The outcome will probably confirm what Dad's cancer team already suspect/know.   Better to know so that any required  treatment plan can be specific to Dad's diagnosis.

Hope this helps a bit.

Kegsy x

Hello Jackie,

I can't really add much more detail to Ella's and Kegsy's comments. 

In my case the tube went down the throat which was numbed with a spray beforehand to remove all feeling for the duration of the procedure. I also didn't have a sedative and didn't feel anything. On completion I had to wait a short time  before having a routine chest X-ray to make sure all was OK.

The procedure may sound alarming but it really is nothing to be concerned about.

I hope all goes well.

Hi Ella

Thank you.  I'll let him know as he's concerned ️. Hope you're doing ok x

Thanks Kegsy, I'll let dad know that not sure if he'll choose with or without.  Does it make recovery much quicker?  Hope you're doing ok ️

Thank you Excavator.  I'll talk to him about the sedation.  I've never known dad to be worried about anything, so now I'm worried. Hope you're doing ok? ️

Hi Jackie

If you have sedation for any 'on the day' procedure, you are not allowed to be unsupervised over night at home.   So if Dad is living on his own,if he has the sedation, someone will need to stay overnight or he will need to stay at  a family/friends house overnight.

This is a 'just in case' requirement for any unlikely reaction to the sedation.

Kegsy x