Lower bronchoscopy

Lower bronchoscopy: what it is and how it is performed

Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure that allows you to examine a patient's airways using a special instrument called a bronchoscope. It can be performed both for diagnosis and for treatment of various lung diseases. There are different types of bronchoscopy, including lower bronchoscopy.

Inferior bronchoscopy is a type of bronchoscopy in which a bronchoscope tube is inserted directly into the trachea in individuals with a previous tracheostomy. A tracheostomy is an artificial opening in the trachea that is created to facilitate the patient's breathing in cases where normal breathing is difficult. Lower bronchoscopy may be necessary to diagnose or treat diseases that affect the lower respiratory tract, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer and others.

Carrying out lower bronchoscopy requires certain skills and training on the part of medical personnel. Usually, before the procedure, the patient is explained its essence and preparation requirements, for example, the need to fast before the procedure. During the procedure, the patient may be under local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity and duration of the procedure. The bronchoscope is inserted through the tracheostomy and further into the lower respiratory tract, where inspection and necessary manipulations are carried out.

Although lower bronchoscopy is a relatively safe procedure, it may come with several risks and complications such as bleeding, infection, tissue damage, etc. Therefore, it is important to carry out this procedure only when indicated and under the supervision of experienced medical personnel.

In conclusion, lower bronchoscopy is an effective method for diagnosing and treating lower respiratory tract diseases in patients with tracheostomy. However, before it is carried out, it is necessary to carefully prepare and carry out only if there are appropriate indications and under the supervision of experienced medical personnel.