Bronchoscopy – Flexible & Rigid
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to directly view a patient’s airway passages through the use of a bronchoscope (a thin, flexible tube inserted through the nose or mouth).
Flexible Bronchoscopy
A flexible bronchoscope allows the physician to see larger airway tissue such as the trachea and bronchi, along with the smaller airway sections called bronchioles. The flexible bronchoscope can move into these smaller passages giving the physician more information about the patient’s condition. A flexible bronchoscope can also increase treatment options such as suctioning, biopsies, delivering oxygen, giving medication, and laser therapy.
Rigid Bronchoscopy
A rigid bronchoscope is a straight, metal, lighted tube that allows the physician to see only the larger airways. Rigid bronchoscopes allow instruments to pass through them which can help in the removal of large amounts of secretion and aspirated or foreign objects.
Reasons for the Procedure
- Bronchoscopy helps the physician better diagnose a patient’s lung/airway problems such as infections, lung cancer, tuberculosis, lymphoma, pneumonia, abnormal granulation tissue, or other diseases.
- Removal of airway obstructions and/or strictures
- Obtain biopsy of tissue or collection of other specimens
Benefits of the Procedure
- Bronchcoscopy helps the physician better diagnose a patient’s lung/airway condition.
- Bronchcoscopy can help reduce any unnecessary procedures.
