Diagnostic Yield of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in a Tertiary Center

Abstract

Background: Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy is a valuable tool in current respiratory medicine. This study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy using a wider diameter bronchoscope. Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study carried out in BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital from January 2021 to March 2021. Consecutive sampling technique was used where 150 patients were enrolled in the study. Data entry and descriptive analysis were done in IBM SPSS version 20.0. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and descriptive statistics. Results: The overall yield from the wider Fiberoptic Bronchoscope was 70.07% which was slightly higher compared to literature results from conventional bronchoscopy. Lung mass on CT scan was the most common indication for bronchoscopy and upper lobe bronchus was the most common site for biopsy. Bronchial wash yield was highest for Squamous cell carcinoma with 22.78% followed by Pulmonary Tuberculosis with 21.5%. Endobronchial biopsy yield was highest for Squamous cell carcinoma with 41.21% followed by Adenocarcinoma with 31.42%. Temporary hypoxia and mild bleeding were common but life-threatening complications were rare. Conclusions: Overall findings of our study confirm that the diagnostic yield of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy is high, particularly when a larger diameter bronchoscope is used which can facilitate wider biopsy forceps for larger tissue sampling.