About Bronchoscopy
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive procedure with small incisions or none at all.Allows for direct visualization of the airways for accurate diagnosis.Enables tissue biopsy, fluid sampling, and removal of foreign bodies during the same procedure.Can be both diagnostic and therapeutic, addressing certain issues immediately.Typically performed as an outpatient procedure, often allowing same-day discharge.Generally well-tolerated with sedation, minimizing patient discomfort./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent cough lasting several weeks without a clear cause.
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
- Suspected lung infection that is difficult to diagnose.
- Abnormal chest X-ray or CT scan findings, such as a mass, nodule, or atelectasis.
- To obtain tissue samples (biopsy) for diagnosing lung cancer, sarcoidosis, or other interstitial lung diseases.
- To investigate a suspected airway obstruction, stricture, or foreign body.
- To evaluate for possible lung transplant rejection.
- To assist in difficult intubations or to clear secretions from the airways.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough medical history review and physical exam with the pulmonologist.
- Undergo necessary pre-procedure tests, which may include blood tests, chest X-ray, or CT scan.
- Fast (no food or drink) for 6-12 hours before the procedure as instructed.
- Discuss all current medications with your doctor; you may need to temporarily stop blood thinners.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as sedation effects will linger.
- Inform the doctor of any allergies, especially to medications, latex, or anesthetics.
Risks & possible complications
- Minor bleeding from the biopsy site, which usually stops on its own.
- Sore throat, hoarseness, or mild cough for a day or two.
- Low-grade fever.
- Reaction to the sedative or local anesthetic.
- Infection, though rare due to sterile technique.
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) if a biopsy is taken from the lung periphery.
- Bronchospasm (tightening of airways) in patients with reactive airway disease.
- Very rarely, significant bleeding or heart rhythm problems.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You will be monitored in a recovery area until the sedation wears off (1-2 hours).
- A sore throat is common; throat lozenges or warm salt water gargles can help.
- Do not eat or drink until the gag reflex returns to prevent choking (usually 1-2 hours).
- Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions for 24 hours.
- You may cough up small amounts of blood-tinged mucus; this is normal. Contact your doctor if bleeding is significant.
- Follow-up with your pulmonologist to discuss biopsy results, usually within a week.
- Resume normal activities and diet the next day unless otherwise instructed.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (typically outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering bronchoscopy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for bronchoscopy in India include Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform bronchoscopy. MediFyr helps you compare pulmonologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for bronchoscopy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Bronchoscopy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated pulmonology teams and experience managing patients undergoing bronchoscopy.
Vivaan Johnson, a 58-year-old retired construction...
Vivaan Johnson, a 58-year-old retired construction supervisor and lifelong non-smoker, had been struggling with a persistent, worsening cough for three months. He was fatigued and had started coughing up small amounts of blood-streaked mucus, which terrified him. A chest X-ray showed a suspicious shadow in his right lung. His pulmonologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a bronchoscopy to visually examine his airways and obtain a tissue sample (biopsy) from the abnormal area. Vivaan was very anxious before the procedure, fearing a cancer diagnosis and the sedation itself. The experience was uncomfortable but not painful due to the sedative; he recalled a feeling of pressure and a strong urge to cough. In recovery, he had a sore throat and hoarseness for a day. The biopsy results came back benign, showing inflammation from an old, severe infection. Vivaan's relief was immense. While he needed a short course of steroids to treat the inflammation, his overwhelming fear was replaced with profound gratitude and a newfound attentiveness to his respiratory health.
Pulmonologists for Bronchoscopy
Explore experienced pulmonologists who regularly perform bronchoscopy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 23 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 24 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 35 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 33 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
- 33 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 29 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
- 26 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 7 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 6 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 4 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada