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Your nurse or doctor will explain the test to you and answer any questions you may have. S/he will ask you to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the test done.
Your heartbeat, blood pressure and oxygen levels will be checked throughout.
A bronchoscopy usually takes less than 15 minutes for the test to be completed.
You don’t need to be put to sleep for this test, but your doctor may offer you a mild sedative injection, especially if you are feeling anxious. It will make you feel drowsy and relaxed.
Your doctor will use a local anaesthetic gel and spray to numb your nose and throat. This can taste unpleasant, but it means you won't feel any pain as the bronchoscope goes in.
When you are ready, the doctor passes the bronchoscope into your nose or mouth, through the vocal chords and down into the windpipe and lung. This usually won’t hurt, but most patients say it is uncomfortable. You may feel as if you can’t catch your breath. Don’t worry – you aren’t going to choke. The feeling will pass, and once the bronchoscope is in place, the worst is over.
Please don’t worry that you won’t be able to breathe. There is plenty of room around the bronchoscope for oxygen to reach your lungs. The doctor can also give you extra oxygen if needed.
If your doctor needs to take some samples of lung tissue, this can be done easily and painlessly. Occasionally the doctor may wash the lungs with fluid. The fluid is then painlessly sucked back out of the lungs.
Once your doctor has finished the examination s/he will gently remove the bronchoscope, and the test is over.
