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Is preparation for bronchoscopy optimal?

¹ Chest Clinic, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton and ² Respiratory Centre, Portsmouth Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust, Portsmouth, UK

CORRESPONDENCE: J. Pickles, Chest Clinic, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, NN1 5BD, UK. Fax: 44 1604544858. E-mail: jpickles@doctors.org.uk

Keywords: anxiolytic, flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy, safe sedation

Received: December 19, 2002
Accepted April 17, 2003

The results of a questionnaire survey, of the current preparation for and practice of diagnostic bronchoscopy in England and Wales, are reported in this paper. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has recently published guidelines on bronchoscopy and these provide a consensus statement on the current evidence base. There is no specific guidance on drugs or techniques, although it is recommended that all patients should be offered sedation, except where there are contraindications.

In the present survey, there was a response rate of 76% (344 responses to 452 questionnaires) and the median number of bronchoscopies performed per session was 5 (interquartile range 4–6). Most operators use lignocaine gel to the nose (65%), spray to the throat (70%), followed by the "spray as you go" method (84%), recommended by the BTS. Atropine is routinely used by 13% contrary to the guidelines and despite concerns about its side-effects. Most operators use sedation with midazolam (85%) or a wide variety of combinations of sedative, analgesic, and anaesthetic agents (27%), and 27% perform unsedated bronchoscopies, with only 0.1% routinely performing unsedated bronchoscopies. A total 251 (77%) responders stated they assessed adequacy of sedation, with most using patient observation alone (149 (46%)). Only three operators assessed sedation using a formal sedation score. Thus, most centres routinely perform sedated bronchoscopies and the systematic level of monitoring is poor.

The current controversies about sedation and safe sedation practice are discussed. There is a need for more evidence to allow more specific guidance to be produced in this difficult area.

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