Diagnostic utility and complications of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in Assiut University Hospital: A 7-year experience

BackgroundFew studies with small number of patients reported their experience with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB). We aimed to report our 7-year experience with the diagnostic yield and complications of FFB at Assiut University Hospital.Materials and methodsA retrospective review of bronchoscopy reports and corresponding patients’ charts over 7 years from January 2006 to December 2012 performed at the Department of Chest Diseases, Assiut University Hospital, was done. Indication for procedures, suspected diagnosis, final diagnosis, and complications were reported.ResultsOf 3980 bronchoscopies, 3660 (92%) were diagnostic. Mean age was 45 ± 18 years and 68% were males. Malignancy and infection, including tuberculosis (TB), were the 2 main indications for FFB (47% and 23.8%). The overall diagnostic yield was 67%. A total of 1690 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 1303 brushing, 188 transbronchial biopsies (TBB), and 645 bronchial biopsies (BB) were performed. Malignancy was confirmed in 70% of suspected cases. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 58.5% of suspected cases, whereas bacterial pneumonia was diagnosed in 48.5%. Bronchoscopy diagnosed 38.4% of patients with interstitial lung disease. The diagnostic yield was 55% for sarcoidosis and 33% for usual interstitial pneumonia. The overall complication rate was 1.61%. Mortality rate was 0.05%.ConclusionsOur results confirm that flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool, with a low rate of complications, particularly in patients with lung cancer. The diagnostic yield in our locality is almost similar to that reported in other series.