Interventional bronchoscopy is a specialized branch of bronchoscopy that, in addition to allowing the specialist to visualize and diagnose certain conditions, also enables the performance of a variety of advanced therapeutic procedures.
What is bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure used to visualize the airways, including the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
This procedure uses a bronchoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera, that allows the physician to observe the inside of the respiratory system in real time. It is essential for identifying various pulmonary conditions such as lung cancer, tracheobronchial stenosis, removal of foreign bodies or thick secretions, lung abscesses, or congenital malformations.
Beyond visualization, interventional bronchoscopy focuses on directly treating certain lung conditions, such as placing stents in the airways, removing tumors or obstructive lesions, and resecting tissue using laser or electrocautery.
Pulmonary bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can sometimes prevent the need for major surgical interventions such as thoracotomy (open-chest surgery).
Bronchoscopy procedure
Bronchoscopy must be performed in a controlled environment, such as an operating room or a specialized suite that also allows for therapeutic interventions when necessary.
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, the patient may require conscious sedation or general anesthesia.
During the therapeutic intervention and depending on the purpose of the procedure, tumor resection or removal of lesions obstructing the airways may be performed. Stents can also be placed in the bronchi to keep the airways open in cases of collapse or narrowing, a condition known as stenosis.
If a patient produces excessive secretions that obstruct the airways, interventional bronchoscopy can be used to aspirate these secretions and improve breathing.
Another common use is the extraction of foreign objects lodged in the airways.
This procedure may be carried out using either flexible or rigid bronchoscopy, depending on the patient’s condition and the pulmonologist’s clinical goals.
Pediatric bronchoscopy
Interventional bronchoscopy can be performed in both adults and children, although pediatric patients have specific considerations.
Because children have a different anatomy, such as smaller and more delicate airways, a specialized approach is necessary, as well as equipment specifically designed for pediatric patients.
Interventional bronchoscopy in pediatrics is commonly used for situations such as inhalation of foreign bodies (e.g., toys or food), congenital malformations affecting the airways, or recurrent infections, where bronchoscopy helps identify structural problems or trapped secretions contributing to the condition.
Interventional bronchoscopy has revolutionized the management of several pulmonary diseases, offering a minimally invasive alternative.
Pulmonologist near me
At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we have a team of highly trained specialists in interventional bronchoscopy dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care for all your pulmonary needs.
Our pulmonologists in Mexico City are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and the most advanced treatments to address conditions such as lung cancer, tracheobronchial stenosis, lung abscesses, and more.
Fuentes:
ScienceDirect, Scielo, MedlinePlus
