Bronchoscopy: equipment, preparation and complications

Abstract:

Bronchoscopy is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for a variety or respiratory diseases and disorders. Due to the wider range of endoscopes available on the veterinary market it is becoming more common, so a good knowledge of the equipment required, and patient preparation is extremely useful. Although usually a routine procedure, some quite serious complications can occur. The veterinary nurse plays a key role during the bronchoscopy procedure and this article aims to outline this role alongside discussion of equipment requirements, patient preparation and to provide an overview of the potential complications that may occur.

Keywords: :

• bronchoscopy
• preparation
• bronchoalveolar lavage
• hypoxaemia
• bronchospasm
• pneumothorax

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laura George

Laura George DipHECVN DipAVN (small animal) CertVN ECC VTS (SAIM) RVN

Laura qualified as an RVN in 2010 and moved to the Internal Medicine Department at DWR the same year. She worked as an Internal Medicine Nurse for over 7 years and became the Internal Medicine Nurse Supervisor in 2016. Laura then moved to the ICU department in 2018 to become a Critical Care Nurse and in May 2018, Laura was appointed Critical Care Nurse Manager. In 2020, after 2 years in ICU, she returned to the Internal Medicine department to continue her career in this area. In 2013 she was awarded the Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing of Small Animal Patients and followed this up by gaining her Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency and Critical Care in 2016.  In 2017, she achieved the Veterinary Technician Specialist qualification in Small Animal Internal Medicine.Email: [email protected]