Complications of bronchoscopy: A concise synopsis.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Flexible and rigid bronchoscopes are essential tools for diagnosis, therapy, and palliation.
• Despite widespread use and general safety, bronchoscopy carries potential risks.
• Complications can be mechanical, related to airway manipulation or bleeding, or systemic, linked to sedation or patient health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanical and systemic complications associated with both flexible and rigid bronchoscopy.
• To enhance awareness among practitioners regarding potential problems and pitfalls during bronchoscopic procedures.
• To ultimately improve patient safety and comfort during and after bronchoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of complications associated with flexible and rigid bronchoscopy.
• Classification of complications into mechanical and systemic categories.
• Analysis of potential causes and contributing factors for each complication type.

Main Results:

• Mechanical complications include airway trauma and bleeding.
• Systemic complications involve adverse events from sedation and patient comorbidities.
• Attributable mortality rates for both types of bronchoscopy are low, under 0.1%.

Conclusions:

• Understanding potential bronchoscopy complications is crucial for safe practice.
• Awareness of mechanical and systemic risks can guide preventative strategies.
• This review aims to equip practitioners with knowledge to minimize adverse events and optimize patient care.