Complications of bronchoscopy

: 1500 bronchoscopies performed in the Department of Pneumology, University of Basle, were analyzed for frequency and severity of complications. 500 patients were investigated by rigid tube in local anesthesia, 500 patients by rigid tube in neuroleptanalgesia and 500 patients by flexible fiberbronchoscope. The rate of complication for all patients was 4.1%, which agrees well with the previously reported complication frequency of 1-11%. The complications were minor in 3.5% of patients, moderate in 0.5% and major in 0.1%. There were no deaths. The incidence of severe complications and deaths was thus lower than in other studies. There was a higher incidence of complications (p less than 0.001) in the group examined with the rigid tube in neuroleptanalgesia, due to the more frequently observed minor complications. The incidence of complications can be reduced by a careful indication for bronchoscopy, adequate yet sparing use of anesthesia, and choice of the right instrument.