| Title: | Complications of bronchoscopy in a major teaching centre. |
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| Author(s): | W.Mahmood U.Khan O.Rahman MK.Rana A.O'Brien |
| Institution: | University Hospital Limerick. |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | General Respiratory and Sleep |
| Abstract: | Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of complications associated with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in a teaching center. Methods: It is a retrospective study. 500 patients underwent flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with different pulmonary pathologies at University hospital Limerick in the last 6 months. There were 227 females and 273 males and the mean age 55+/- 11. These bronchoscopies included 95 transbronchial biopsies (TBBx) (19%), 113 transbronchial needle aspirations (TBNA) (22.6%), 281 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (56.2%), 29 Brushings (5.8%), 21 trans-tracheal biopsies (4.2%). All the procedures involved were carried out using flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Results: There were total 13 patients who suffered bronchoscopic complications (2.8%). The incidence of major complications secondary to transbronchial biopsy was 8 (1.6%), (including 6 pneumothoraces (1.2%) , and 2 with significant bleeding (0.4%)), 5 patient had complications secondary to endobronchial biopsies (0.8%)( 3 pneumothoraces (0.6%), 2 with significant bleeding (0.4%)). Only 3 of the patients with pneumothoraces needed chest drain placement, the remainder were managed conservatively; bleeding complications were treated with cold saline +/- adrenaline during the procedure. All the patients who suffered pneumothoraces required hospital admission, duration of stay was 2 (+/-1) days and the mortality rate was 0%. Conclusion: This study shows that bronchoscopy is a safe method with low to moderate incidence of complications and mortality. We believe that the preparation, experience and continuous training of the trainees and nursing team play a fundamental role in reducing the incidence of complications. |
