A standard bronchoscopy procedure takes around 30 to 45 minutes to complete. The total treatment time, including both preparation and recovery, is usually between three and four hours.
A bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors at Cochise Oncology to inspect the airways that lead to your lungs. It involves inserting a thin tube with a camera through your nose or mouth, down your throat, and into your lungs. Most patients are awake during the procedure. However, there may be some circumstances in which it is better to be asleep.
Generally, our doctors will use a thin, soft, and flexible to maximize comfort. Sometimes, however, we may need to use a more rigid appliance if you are bleeding or there is a blockage in your airway.
At Cochise Oncology, we will give you specific instructions on how you should prepare for a bronchoscopy. Preparation usually takes place over the course of several interactions with your doctor. However, the following typically apply:
We begin the procedure by connecting you to sensors that monitor oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. After that, you’ll receive a numbing spray or gel in either your nose or mouth. This compound helps to make the insertion of the camera tube more pleasant. We then provide you with medicine that makes you more relaxed, usually through an IV drip. You won’t be unconscious – as you would be under a general anesthetic – but you will feel more comfortable.
Once you’re ready, we will insert the bronchoscope and then investigate your lungs. The procedure usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
Medics consider bronchoscopy a safe procedure. However, there are risks. The most immediate is a reduction in oxygen saturation (where blood oxygen levels drop lower than they should). Further complications include bleeding, collapsed lung, or fever, though these are rare.
At Cochise Oncology, we aim to provide you with accurate results from your test as rapidly as possible. You’ll receive updates as soon as we complete the analysis.
There are several reasons people choose to get a bronchoscopy, often under the recommendation of their doctor. For instance, a medical practitioner might recommend visiting Cochise Oncology if you have trouble breathing or are coughing up blood. You may also receive a referral if something unusual showed up on your CT scan, or you have had many lung infections in the past.
Bronchoscopy allows us to diagnose a wide variety of conditions that might be affecting your lungs, including blockages, tumors, infections, and the potential for lung collapse.
Are you ready to learn more about Bronchoscopy? Reach out to Cochise Oncology at (520) 803-6644 or fill out the consultation form on this page. We look forward to meeting you!
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