Abstract:
Background: Flexible bronchoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool with a relative
low rate of complications. Aim: To analyze post procedure risk of complications
after flexible bronchoscopy with transbronchial or bronchial biopsy. Material and
Methods: The electronic database of a bronchoscopy unit at a general Hospital
was analyzed. All procedures performed between 2009 and 2011 were reviewed
and complications recorded. The primary outcome measure was the risk for
complications defined as the percentage of procedures complicated by hemorrhage,
pneumothorax, desaturation < 80% and other complications. We used a logistic
regression model to explore the association between each procedure characteristic
and complication. Results: One thousand seventy nine procedures were included
in the analysis. Eight percent had complications. Among these, the frequency of
hemorrhage was 5.9% and pneumothorax was 0.3%. Factors associated with
complications were exclusive use of topical anesthesia with an odds ratio (OR)
of 1.72 (confidence intervals (CI): 1.04-2.86), regular or bad intolerance to the
procedure with an OR 4.70 (CI: 3.00-7.38) and performing biopsies of the upper
lobes with an OR of 1.76 (CI: 1.04-2.97). Conclusions: Exclusive use of topical
anesthesia, performing biopsies of the upper lobes and procedure tolerance were
risk factors associated with complications following bronchoscopic biopsies.
