Flexible Bronchoscopy in Children
A safe and effective way to examine your child’s airways
Flexible bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to closely examine the inside of your child’s airways, including the trachea (windpipe), bronchi (large airway branches), and lungs. It is performed under general anaesthetic and is used to investigate breathing problems, persistent cough, noisy breathing, or suspected airway abnormalities.
What Is a Bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to look directly into your child’s airway using a fine, flexible tube called a bronchoscope. This tube has a camera and light at its tip, allowing detailed examination of the trachea and bronchi. It is passed through the nose or mouth while your child is asleep under anaesthetic.
In many cases, the doctor will also:
- Take washings (lavage) from the lungs using sterile salty water
- Collect mucus or fluid samples for testing
These samples are sent to the laboratory to check for infection, inflammation, or unusual cells.
Bronchoscopy can also be used to check healing following surgery to the trachea, bronchi, or lungs.
Why Might My Child Need a Bronchoscopy?
Doctors may recommend bronchoscopy to investigate:
In many cases, the doctor will also:
- Persistent or unexplained cough
- Recurrent chest infections or pneumonia
- Noisy or difficult breathing (wheeze, stridor)
- Low oxygen levels or ongoing oxygen requirement
- Suspected inhalation of a foreign object
- Suspected structural airway problems
- Airway sampling in children with immune or lung conditions
- Post-surgical airway assessment
Before the Bronchoscopy
- You will receive an admission letter with details about when to arrive and fasting instructions.
- No food or milk for 6 hours before the procedure. Clear fluids (water or diluted juice) are allowed up to 2 hours before.
- If breastfed, your child can feed up to 4 hours before the procedure.
- A doctor will examine your child and explain the procedure, and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form.
- An anaesthetist will speak with you about the general anaesthetic and options for how your child will go to sleep (via mask or injection).
Let the team know if your child has any allergies or other medical conditions.
What Happens During the Procedure?
- Your child will be fully asleep under general anaesthetic.
- The bronchoscope is gently passed through the nose or mouth into the airway.
- The doctor will examine the airways in real time and may perform:
– Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) – a gentle wash of the lungs to collect fluid for testing - The procedure usually takes 15–30 minutes.
After the Bronchoscopy
- Your child will wake in a recovery room, where they will be monitored by nursing staff.
- Some children wake quickly, while others sleep for 1–2 hours.
- Once your child is awake, sitting up, has eaten and passed urine – and the nurse is happy with their observations – they can usually go home.
At Home After the Procedure
- A sore throat or mild cough is common for a few days and usually settles on its own.
- Give paracetamol (e.g. Calpol) as needed, following the instructions on the bottle.
- Your child may feel tired or slightly sick for the first 24 hours after the anaesthetic.
- Encourage small sips of fluid. Once they tolerate clear fluids, you can offer milk and then food gradually.
- Appetite may take a day or two to return – this is normal.
Are There Any Risks?
Every general anaesthetic carries a small risk of complications, such as nausea, sore throat, dizziness, or vomiting—but these are usually short-lived.
Bronchoscopy is a safe procedure, especially when performed in specialist centres.
Possible side effects or complications may include:
- Mild fever or cough (common, short-lived)
- Sore throat or hoarseness
- Blood-streaked sputum after lavage or biopsy
- Brief drops in oxygen levels during the procedure
- Rare complications: airway irritation, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), or minor bleeding
Your doctor and anaesthetist will monitor your child closely and take every precaution to minimise risk.
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