Bronchoscopy Treatment in Ahmedabad
Seeing Inside the Airways at EPIC Hospital
There are chest conditions that no amount of imaging alone can fully resolve. A CT scan shows a mass in the lung but cannot determine whether it is benign or malignant. An X-ray shows consolidation but cannot identify the organism responsible for an infection that is not responding to standard treatment. A haemoptysis (coughing blood) points to an airway source but not its exact location. In all of these situations, the investigation that answers the question directly is bronchoscopy treatment in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital.
Bronchoscopy is the direct visualisation of the airways using a thin, flexible camera passed through the nose or mouth, down the throat, through the larynx, and into the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. In expert hands, it is both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic instrument – the same procedure that reveals an abnormality can simultaneously treat it.
Diagnostic Bronchoscopy – What It Can Find
- Lung cancer diagnosis: endobronchial biopsy of visible tumours, transbronchial biopsy (TBB) of peripheral lesions, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for cytology – providing tissue for histological diagnosis before any treatment decision
- Pulmonary tuberculosis (smear-negative TB): BAL obtained at bronchoscopy cultures organisms that sputum cannot grow in patients who are coughing minimally or who are sputum smear-negative
- Interstitial lung disease: BAL differential cell count and transbronchial biopsy for histological classification of ILD – guiding specific treatment decisions
- Source of haemoptysis: direct visualisation identifies the bleeding airway segment – enabling targeted treatment and informing decisions about bronchial artery embolisation if bleeding is significant
- Opportunistic infections: in immunocompromised patients, BAL identifies Pneumocystis jirovecii, Aspergillus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and other organisms that cannot be grown from sputum
- Foreign body aspiration: particularly in young children or elderly patients – bronchoscopy is both diagnostic and the treatment
Therapeutic Bronchoscopy – What It Can Treat
- Foreign body removal: using forceps, suction, or cryotherapy – avoiding open thoracic surgery for airway foreign bodies
- Mucus plug removal: in patients with acute lobar collapse from mucus impaction – restoring ventilation to a collapsed lung lobe
- Airway stenting: placement of metallic or silicone stents in patients with malignant or benign central airway obstruction
- Endobronchial tumour debulking: cryotherapy, electrocautery, or laser for palliation of obstructing central airway tumours
- Bronchoalveolar lavage for alveolar proteinosis: whole lung lavage is the treatment of choice for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)
The Bronchoscopy Procedure at EPIC Hospital – What to Expect
Before the Procedure
Fast for 4 to 6 hours before the procedure. Blood tests including clotting studies and platelet count are reviewed before any biopsy. A chest X-ray or CT and spirometry results are reviewed. Blood thinners may need to be paused. You will need someone to accompany you as conscious sedation is given during the procedure.
During the Procedure
Bronchoscopy is performed under conscious sedation with local anaesthetic to the airway. The flexible bronchoscope is passed through the nose or mouth into the airways. The whole airways are visualised – any abnormality is noted, biopsied, or washed depending on the clinical need. Most procedures take 20 to 40 minutes.
After the Procedure
You are monitored for 1 to 2 hours after bronchoscopy. Blood-streaked sputum after biopsy is normal and resolves within 24 hours. Most patients are discharged the same day. You should not drive for 24 hours due to the sedation. Results of biopsies and cultures are communicated at a follow-up appointment.
Know Your Signs
Persistent or Worsening Cough
Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
Wheezing or Noisy Breathing
Loud Snoring or Sleep Apnea
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Frequent Lung Infections
Emergency Services
Our dedicated emergency team is available 24/7 to provide immediate medical care and support in critical situations.
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Find Best Pulmonology Hospital in Ahmedabad
Therapeutic Bronchoscope (Olympus) for airway stenting, tumor debulking, foreign body removal
Endobronchial Ultrasound (Linear EBUS) (Olympus) for mediastinal pathology assessment.
Bronchoscopic Cryotherapy (ERBE Cryo 2) for airway tumors & lung cryobiopsy
IPC (Indwelling pleural catheter) Insertion
Flexi-rigid thoracoscope (Olympus) for Pleuroscopy
Single-Use flexible bronchoscopes (Pentax) for routine diagnostics like lavage & bronchial biopsy
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Bronchoscopy Treatment in Ahmedabad - Frequently Asked Questions
Is bronchoscopy a painful procedure?
Bronchoscopy is performed under conscious sedation with local anaesthetic spray to the throat and airways. Most patients experience minimal discomfort – a sensation of pressure or mild coughing during the procedure, but not significant pain. Post-procedure throat soreness lasting 24 to 48 hours is common and resolves without treatment.
How long does bronchoscopy take?
A diagnostic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy takes approximately 20 to 40 minutes. EBUS bronchoscopy may take longer – 40 to 60 minutes. Therapeutic bronchoscopy for complex procedures such as stenting or tumour debulking takes longer depending on the complexity.
What are the risks of bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is a safe procedure in experienced hands. The main risks are minor bleeding after biopsy (common, usually resolves spontaneously), pneumothorax (rare, occurring in fewer than 1-2% of transbronchial biopsy cases), bronchospasm, and oxygen desaturation. All procedures are performed with continuous oxygen saturation monitoring. The risks are discussed at your pre-procedure consent appointment.
Can I eat and drink before bronchoscopy?
You must fast for 4 to 6 hours before bronchoscopy in Ahmedabad – no food or water. This is necessary because sedation carries a risk of aspiration if the stomach is not empty. Specific medication instructions will be given by our team at your pre-procedure appointment.
When will I get the results of my bronchoscopy?
Microbiological cultures from bronchoalveolar lavage typically take 2 to 5 days for bacterial cultures and up to 6 to 8 weeks for mycobacterial (TB) culture. Histological biopsy results are typically available within 5 to 7 days. Rapid GeneXpert results for TB are available within 24 hours. A follow-up appointment is arranged before you leave EPIC Hospital on the day of the procedure.
Is rigid bronchoscopy different from flexible bronchoscopy?
Rigid bronchoscopy uses a wide-bore metal tube passed through the mouth under general anaesthesia. It provides a larger working channel and better access for therapeutic procedures – stent insertion, laser therapy, massive haemoptysis management. Flexible bronchoscopy is used for most diagnostic procedures and can access the peripheral airways. EPIC Hospital offers both.
What other airway and lung procedures are available at EPIC Hospital?
Alongside bronchoscopy treatment in Ahmedabad, our pulmonology programme includes EBUS treatment in Ahmedabad, pleural effusion treatment in Ahmedabad, cryotherapy treatment in Ahmedabad, and the best pulmonology hospital in Ahmedabad Gujarat. See our pulmonologist in Ahmedabad page for the full team.
Is bronchoscopy available as an emergency at EPIC Hospital, Ahmedabad?
Yes. Emergency bronchoscopy is available at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital for urgent indications including massive haemoptysis, foreign body aspiration, acute lobar collapse, and acute airway obstruction. Our pulmonology team coordinates emergency access through the hospital’s 24-hour emergency service.