Flexible Bronchoscopy

Flexible bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that enables physicians to visually examine the airways of the lungs using a thin, bendable instrument called a bronchoscope. During flexible bronchoscopy, the bronchoscope—a slender, fiber-optic tube equipped with a light and camera—is gently inserted through the patient’s nose or mouth and advanced past the vocal cords into the tracheobronchial tree. This flexible instrument provides real-time, high-resolution images of the bronchial passages, allowing clinicians to detect abnormalities such as tumors, inflammation, infections, airway narrowing, and bleeding. In addition to direct visualization, flexible bronchoscopy supports a range of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, including bronchial lavage for sampling airway secretions, transbronchial biopsy for histopathological analysis, and targeted removal of mucus plugs or foreign bodies.

 Flexible Bronchoscopy >

Compared to rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy offers significant patient comfort advantages: it can be performed under conscious sedation rather than general anesthesia, it has a smaller scope diameter, and it carries a lower risk of airway trauma. Typically conducted on an outpatient basis, the procedure lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes, after which patients are monitored until sedation wears off and may experience mild throat irritation or hoarseness for a few days. Preparation for flexible bronchoscopy generally involves fasting for several hours, adjustment of certain medications, and arranging for post-procedure transportation to ensure patient safety and comfort.

Flexible bronchoscopy remains the gold standard for evaluating a wide array of pulmonary conditions—from lung cancer staging and chronic infection assessment to interstitial lung disease workup—thanks to its versatility, diagnostic yield, and favorable safety profile. By combining direct endoscopic visualization with advanced sampling techniques, flexible bronchoscopy continues to play a pivotal role in modern respiratory medicine, guiding accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans for patients with complex airway disorders.