Cleveland Clinic Children's Outcomes

Bronchoscopy is an essential procedure performed by pulmonologists to visually examine the airways. Primarily used for diagnosis of infectious, structural, and functional abnormalities of airways and peripheral lung tissue, it can also be used to treat specific conditions. Information obtained during bronchoscopy can contribute to definitive diagnoses in approximately 80% of cases. Patient safety and comfort are primary concerns for all patients. Many Center for Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine patients have complex multisystem illnesses or require ICU level care, and a higher rate of procedural complications might be expected. Other than transient hypoxemia, multiple series report complication rates < 5%.¹ Common minor complications include airway bleeding, epistaxis, and excessive cough. Major complications include apnea, bradycardia, postprocedure atelectasis, and sustained oxygen desaturations < 90% related to laryngospasm or bronchospasm.