A bronchoscopy is a test that lets your doctor look at your child's airway, including the throat, windpipe, and bronchial tubes.
Before the test, be sure to follow your doctor’s directions for preparing your child, including when your child should stop eating and drinking.
Your child will get medicine so they won't feel anything during the procedure.
You can bring a favorite toy or blanket to help your child relax.
A bronchoscopy uses a scope with a camera on the end.
The flexible scope goes into your child's nose or mouth and gently down the throat.
As it travels down, it shows video of the throat, voice box, windpipe, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
The doctor may use tiny tools to remove an object or growth or take a tissue or fluid sample.
There's another kind of bronchoscopy that uses a rigid scope.
It's usually done as part of a special procedure such as removing a larger object or taking a bigger tissue sample.
A bronchoscopy takes less than an hour.
Your child may spend a few hours in a recovery room.
Your child will probably be able to go home the same day and be back to their normal routine in 1 to 2 days.
Your child's mouth may feel very dry for several hours after the procedure.
Your child may be hoarse or have a sore throat for a few days.
If your child is 4 or older, they can suck on throat lozenges.
Children age 8 and older can gargle with warm salt water.
You can offer your child fluids, like water, apple juice, and flavored ice pops.
Avoid soda pop and citrus juices such as orange juice.
Your child may also have a low-grade fever of less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius.
It may last 4 to 8 hours after the procedure.
If a biopsy was taken, your child may spit up a small amount of blood or have bloody saliva.
This is normal.
Have your child rest until they feel better.
When you're home, encourage your child to get plenty of rest.
When your child is ready to eat, start with easy-to-swallow foods, like soft noodles, pudding, canned or cooked fruit, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes.
Getting a bronchoscopy might seem scary, especially for kids.
But the doctor and medical staff will be there the whole time to make sure your child is okay.
