What are the potential complications of bronchoscopy?
Complications of bronchoscopy are relatively rare and most often minor. It is important to realize that all procedures may involve risk or complications from both known and unforeseen causes, because individual patients vary in their anatomy and response to medications. Therefore, there is no guarantee that a procedure can be free of complications. The following is a list of potential complications: • Nose bleeding (epistaxis) • Vocal cord injury • Irregular heart beats • Lack of oxygen to the body’s tissues • Heart injury due to medications or lack of oxygen • Bleeding from the site of biopsy • Punctured lung (pneumothorax) • Damage to teeth (from rigid bronchoscopy) • Complications from pre-medications or general anesthesia (This list is not meant to be inclusive of all possible complications, but to provide information for your greater awareness concerning bronchoscopy.) How does a patient prepare for bronchoscopy? Usually, patients undergoing bronchoscopy should take nothing by mou
