Bronchoscopy: What to Expect Before, During, and After the Procedure
If your doctor has recommended a bronchoscopy, this guide explains everything you need to know.
A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows a pulmonologist to look directly inside the airways — the trachea (windpipe), bronchi, and bronchioles — using a thin, flexible instrument called a bronchoscope. It is one of the most important diagnostic and therapeutic tools in respiratory medicine.
If your doctor has recommended a bronchoscopy, it is completely natural to have questions and concerns. This guide is designed to help you understand the procedure clearly so that you feel informed and confident.
Why is a Bronchoscopy Recommended?
A bronchoscopy may be advised for several reasons:
- To investigate a persistent cough, unexplained breathlessness, or haemoptysis (coughing blood)
- To examine an abnormal finding on a chest X-ray or CT scan
- To obtain a biopsy (tissue sample) for diagnosis of lung tumours, infections, or inflammation
- To collect bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid for microbiological testing
- To perform therapeutic procedures such as airway stenting, foreign body removal, or tumour debulking
- To diagnose or evaluate interstitial lung disease
Before the Procedure — How to Prepare
Fasting
You will be asked to fast for at least 4–6 hours before the procedure. This means no food or fluids, as the procedure involves sedation and anaesthesia of the throat.
Medications
Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, particularly blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel). Some medications may need to be paused before the procedure. Your regular inhalers should generally be continued.
Consent and Explanation
Your pulmonologist will explain the procedure in detail, including its purpose, what to expect, and any risks involved. You will be asked to sign an informed consent form.
Arrange a Companion
As sedation is used, you will not be able to drive after the procedure. Please arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you home.
During the Procedure
Sedation: A mild sedative is given intravenously to help you relax. Local anaesthetic spray is applied to the throat and nostrils to numb the area.
Insertion: The bronchoscope is gently passed through the nose or mouth, down the throat, and into the airways.
Examination: The doctor visualises the airways on a screen. Samples or biopsies are taken if needed.
Duration: The procedure typically takes 20–45 minutes, depending on what is being performed.
After the Procedure — Recovery
- You will be monitored in a recovery area for 1–2 hours until the sedation wears off
- Your throat may feel sore or numb for a few hours — this is normal
- Do not eat or drink until the throat numbness has fully resolved (usually 1–2 hours)
- A mild cough or blood-tinged sputum may be present for 24 hours after the procedure
- Rest at home for the remainder of the day
- Avoid driving, operating machinery, or signing legal documents for 24 hours due to residual sedation
When to Call Your Doctor After Bronchoscopy
Contact your pulmonologist promptly if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding from the airways
- Severe chest pain or breathlessness
- High fever
- Symptoms that worsen rather than improve
Is Bronchoscopy Safe?
Bronchoscopy is a safe and well-established procedure. Serious complications are uncommon. Minor temporary side effects such as a sore throat, mild cough, or slightly raised temperature are more frequent but resolve quickly.