Anesthesia for Bronchoscopy

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Bronchoscopy Basics & Pre-op Prep - Scope Scope Hooray!

  • Types & Indications:
    • Flexible Bronchoscopy (FOB): Diagnostic (biopsy, BAL, brushings), difficult intubation aid. Smaller, ↑maneuverability, wider reach.
    • Rigid Bronchoscopy: Therapeutic (foreign body removal, stent placement, laser ablation, debulking tumors, managing massive hemoptysis), central airway obstruction. Larger lumen, better airway control & suction/ventilation options.
  • Pre-operative Preparation:
    • Assessment: Detailed history (bleeding disorders, drug allergies), airway examination (Mallampati, TMD), cardiorespiratory status.
    • Investigations: Baseline Hb, coagulation profile, CXR. PFTs if severe respiratory disease. Group & save if high bleeding risk.
    • Fasting: 6-8 hrs for solids, 2 hrs for clear fluids.
    • Premedication: Antisialagogue (e.g., Glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg IV/IM), Anxiolytic (e.g., Midazolam 1-2 mg IV). Consider nebulized lignocaine.
    • Informed consent detailing risks (bleeding, pneumothorax, hypoxemia).

⭐ Rigid bronchoscopy is preferred for foreign body removal and massive hemoptysis.

Rigid bronchoscopy procedure setup

Anesthetic Goals & Techniques - Snooze & Cruise Views

  • Goals:

    • Amnesia, anxiolysis, analgesia
    • Suppress cough/gag reflexes
    • Maintain oxygenation (SpO₂ > 90%) & ventilation
    • Hemodynamic stability
    • Rapid recovery & return to baseline
  • Techniques Overview:

    • Topical Anesthesia + Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC):
      • Lidocaine (spray/nebulized/transtracheal) + Sedatives (Midazolam, Fentanyl, Propofol).
      • Common for flexible bronchoscopy.
    • General Anesthesia (GA):
      • Required for rigid bronchoscopy; sometimes for complex flexible cases.
      • Methods:
        • Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA): Propofol, Remifentanil.
        • Inhalational (less common due to leaks/pollution).
        • Airway: Endotracheal Tube (ETT), Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA), or specialized jet ventilation (rigid).

⭐ Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil is commonly preferred for flexible bronchoscopy to allow for rapid recovery and precise titration.

Airway Matters & Ventilation - Breathe Easy Breezy

Jet ventilation setup for bronchoscopy

  • Shared Airway: Critical! Constant team communication. Anticipate obstruction.
  • Pre-oxygenation: 100% O2 for 3-5 min vital.

⭐ Apneic oxygenation (e.g., via nasal cannula at 5-10 L/min) is crucial during periods of airway manipulation to prolong safe apnea time and prevent desaturation.

  • Ventilation Choices:
    • Spontaneous Respiration (IV sedation).
    • Controlled (GA): ETT (size for scope & ventilation), LMA (bronchoscopy-specific), High-Frequency Jet Ventilation (HFJV).
  • HFJV: Venturi principle (Sanders injector). Risks: barotrauma, air trapping. Ensure patent exhalation.
  • Monitoring: Continuous SpO2, ECG, NIBP. EtCO2 often difficult.
  • ⚠️ Key Risks: Hypoxemia, hypercapnia, laryngospasm, bronchospasm.

Monitoring & Crisis Control - Oopsie Whoopsie Scope!

  • Monitoring: Standard ASA (ECG, NIBP, SpO2) + EtCO2. Continuous vigilance for desaturation, airway obstruction, or inadequate anesthesia.
  • Common Crises & Initial Steps: 📌 LBBBA (Laryngospasm, Bronchospasm, Bleeding, Barotrauma, Arrhythmias)
    • Hypoxemia: Immediately give 100% O2, check airway/circuit integrity, suction secretions, deepen anesthesia. Pause procedure.
    • Laryngospasm: Apply 100% O2 with PPV, deepen anesthesia, give suxamethonium (0.5-1 mg/kg IV). Larson's maneuver.
    • Bronchospasm: Administer 100% O2, ↑volatile/propofol, use IV/inhaled β2-agonists. Consider steroids.
    • Bleeding: Vigorous suction, topical adrenaline (1:10,000-1:20,000), cold saline lavage. Inform surgeon promptly.
    • Cough/Bucking: Deepen level of anesthesia, administer IV lidocaine (1-1.5 mg/kg).

⭐ Topical or intravenous lidocaine is effective in suppressing cough reflex and reducing airway reactivity, minimizing patient movement and complications.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Shared airway is a core challenge, demanding excellent team communication with the proceduralist.
  • Topical anesthesia of the airway (e.g., lignocaine) is vital to suppress reflexes and improve patient tolerance.
  • Sedation spectrum: conscious sedation (midazolam, fentanyl) to deep sedation/general anesthesia (propofol, remifentanil).
  • Ventilation options include spontaneous breathing, jet ventilation, or controlled ventilation via LMA/ETT.
  • Key complications: laryngospasm, bronchospasm, hypoxemia, arrhythmias, and hemorrhage post-procedure.
  • Rigid bronchoscopy typically requires general anesthesia with muscle relaxation; flexible bronchoscopy often uses sedation techniques alone or with GA.
  • Pre-operative assessment should focus on airway examination and cardiopulmonary reserve to anticipate difficulties and risks during the procedure and recovery period for the patient.

Practice Questions: Anesthesia for Bronchoscopy

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