HYPOXEMIA AND LUNG MECHANICS DURING FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY

Background: Arterial hypoxaemia is the common complication, since respiratory depressant drugs are used for premedication, and the airway is also partially occluded by the bronchoscope. The study is therefore designed to nd out the changes in arterial oxygen tension and PFTduring FOB. Objectives: To nd out the changes in arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary function tests during FOB. Methods: One hundred patients aged 20 years above undergoing FOB were evaluated for the arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary function tests changes at KNCH, Jodhpur. Results: All patients developed a fall in PaO2 following FOB but hypoxemia was noted only in 18 cases. Bronchial washing, punch biopsy and brush biopsy did contribute to hypoxemia signicantly. The pulmonary functions which include change in V.C, FVC, FEV1 and PEFR after FOB, no statistical difference could be observed on statistically comparison. Conclusion: All patients showed a decline in arterial PaO2 after FOB which was highly signicant. FOB itself does not cause any signicant or serious complications.