Bronchoscopy is generally safe, and complications are rare. If they do occur, complications may include spasms of the bronchial tubes that can impair breathing, irregular heart rhythms, or infections such as pneumonia.
disordered heart rhythm (arrhythmia), heart attacks, low blood oxygen (hypoxemia), and pneumothorax
Bronchoscopy
no
The CPT code 31641 can be used for flexible bronchoscopy that uses laser therapy. This code can also be used for rigid bronchoscopy.
Patients not breathing adequately on their own due to severe respiratory failure may require mechanical ventilation prior to bronchoscopy. It may not be appropriate to perform bronchoscopy on patients with an unstable heart.
Alternative procedures to bronchoscopy include imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs to visualize the airways, sputum cytology to examine cells in the mucus, and pulmonary function tests to assess lung function. In certain cases, a needle biopsy or a thoracentesis may be performed to obtain tissue or fluid samples for analysis without the need for a bronchoscopy.
Minor side effects arise from the bronchoscope causing abrasion of the lining of the airways. This results in some swelling and inflammation, as well as hoarseness caused from abrading the vocal cords. If this abrasion is.
Colonoscopy, bronchoscopy,
31622
Bronchoscopy
31635
Patient teaching for a bronchoscopy may include explaining the procedure, discussing any necessary preparation (such as fasting or medication adjustments), informing about potential risks or complications, and addressing post-procedure care instructions like monitoring for any signs of infection or respiratory distress. It's important to provide clear, step-by-step information to help the patient feel prepared and comfortable before and after the procedure.