INDICATIONS AND OUTCOME OF FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY: A ONE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective : To study the indications and outcome of flexible bronchoscopy done at MGM Medical College and Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Maharashtra. Methods : A retrospective study of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was performed at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad,Maharashtra during the time period of January – December 2018. Bronchoscopy was performed and collection of bronchial washing, bronchial biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration and endobronchial intubation was done. Result : The main indication for doing bronchoscopy was suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis followed by suspected cases of lung malignancy.Out of 136 patients, pulmonary tuberculosis was suspected in 24 patients and bacterial/fungal infections in 28 cases for which bronchial washings were taken and MTB was detected among 20 patients (80.30%), BAL culture-sensitivity reported positive for 37.73%, fungal element  was found in 9.4% . 33 patients were suspected cases of lung malignancy for which bronchial biopsy was done (24.26%), of which both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were found to be 27.27% each, 21.27% were non-small cell carcinoma. 33% of the patients were subjected to bronchoscopy for visualisation of the tracheo bronchial tree, 2.94% were for foreign body removal and 1.47% were for endobronchial intubation. Conclusion : The optimal use of conventional bronchoscopy and its techniques in the hands of experienced respiratory interventionists, with the adherence of the international guidelines for performing these techniques has improved the diagnostic outcomes of those patients with the least morbidity and mortality, employing better therapeutic strategies and thus improving the overall management of those patients.