Complications of fiberoptic bronchoscopy at a university hospital.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively review the indications and complications associated with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) in a university teaching hospital.

DESIGN

retrospective review from April 1, 1988 to March 30, 1993.

SETTING

Large tertiary care university hospital.

PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS

We reviewed 4,273 consecutive FFBs, including 2,493 bronchoalveolar lavages and 173 transbronchial biopsy procedures.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

RESULTS

Most (52%) FFBs were performed for obtaining lower respiratory tract samples for evaluation of suspected infection. An additional 17% were performed to evaluate an abnormality seen on chest radiograph. The most common therapeutic indication was removal of retained secretions in 8% of FFBs. The mortality rate was 0%, and the frequency of major and minor complications was 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively. The incidence of major complications secondary to transbronchial biopsy was 6.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed safely in a teaching hospital with appropriate preparation, supervision, and adherence to protocol.