Service details
Procedure details and treatment flow
Diagnostic bronchoscopy under general IV anesthesia
Diagnostic bronchoscopy is a highly specific endoscopic procedure that allows the doctor a direct and detailed examination of the inside of your airways.
In our polyclinic in Kragujevac, this sensitive intervention is performed superbly and professionally Dr Nikola Arsovski. To ensure your maximum comfort and complete absence of pain or discomfort, the procedure is routinely performed under analgosedation (short-term general intravenous anesthesia).
The entire examination, including the careful induction into anesthesia, takes only up to 30 minutes.
What does a bronchoscopy reveal? The main goal is to examine in detail the changes in the lungs that were previously observed by one of the radiographic methods (such as X-ray of the heart and lungs or MSCT of the chest).
The procedure is most often used for the purpose of early diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors of the bronchi, inflammation, as well as for discovering the true cause of long-term (chronic) cough, persistent hoarseness, unexplained long-term fever (temperature), but also for the safe removal of accumulated secretions from the lungs.
Course of intervention and mandatory preparation
Since the examination takes place under anesthesia, strict adherence to the preparation instructions is essential for your safety.
How is the procedure performed?
A bronchoscope (a thin, flexible instrument with a camera) is most often introduced through the nose under anesthesia, and less often through the mouth, directly into the trachea and bronchi.
The inside of the airways is displayed in real time as an image on the monitor. All visualized changes require additional analysis, so small tissue or secretion samples are taken completely painlessly using miniature instruments, which are then sent for pathohistological, cytological and microbiological analysis.
Preparation for anesthesia:
- Food and drink: You must not eat or drink absolutely anything for at least 6 hours before the examination.
- Therapy: Always drink a minimum of water (just a couple of sips) that morning, especially cardiology therapy.
- Analyzes: It is mandatory to bring a blood count with platelets, coagulation factors (INR, aPTT - especially important for patients on anticoagulant therapy).
- Views: A report from an internist/cardiologist with an ECG record is necessary, as well as bringing all previous lung scans (MSCT, X-ray).
Important rules after inspection
Due to the application of general intravenous anesthesia, it is mandatory that you come to the examination accompanied by an adult family member, because you won't be able to drive or go home on your own.
After the procedure, it is strictly not recommended to take food and water for at least 2 hours, i.e. as long as the feeling of numbness in the throat lasts. Also, avoid consuming hot drinks and hot foods throughout that day to avoid irritating sensitive mucous membranes.