Paediatric Bronchoscopy Treatment in India

Saanvi Patel is a 2-year-old girl,...

Saanvi Patel is a 2-year-old girl, the beloved only child of first-time parents. She was a healthy baby until 6 months ago when she developed a persistent, wet-sounding cough that lingered after a cold. Despite multiple rounds of antibiotics for suspected pneumonia, the cough never fully resolved. She would have frightening episodes of coughing until she gagged, especially after eating or drinking. Her parents, Anika and Raj, were exhausted and terrified, feeling like they were failing their daughter. Their paediatrician referred them to Dr. Evans, a paediatric pulmonologist. After reviewing a chest X-ray that showed persistent shadowing in one lung, Dr. Evans gently explained that Saanvi might have accidentally inhaled a small object or had a structural issue causing recurrent infections. He recommended a bronchoscopy to look directly into her airways, remove any foreign body, and take fluid samples. The morning of the procedure was filled with anxiety; Saanvi was confused and cried as she was taken from her parents' arms. The procedure itself was quick. Dr. Evans found and removed a tiny piece of a plastic toy bead lodged in her left lower airway. The relief in the recovery room was immediate and profound. Saanvi, groggy but breathing easily, was reunited with her weeping parents. Within days, her cough vanished. Her emotional journey shifted from constant parental dread to immense relief and joy, watching their vibrant daughter return to her playful, carefree self.