Indications, results and complications of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy: a 5-year experience in a referral population in Greece

The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the indications, results and complications of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) in an University teaching Hospital. Also, we present the radiological findings for the major causes according to computed tomography of the chest performed within 48 h of fiberoptic bronchoscopy. A total of 4,098 FFBs were performed from January 1, 2003 to December 30, 2007. For diagnostic purposes, 3769 FFBs performed (92%) and for therapeutic purposes 329 FFBs (8%) performed. Haemoptysis was the most common indication for FFB (21%), followed by fever/suspected infection (19%) and chronic cough (18%). The most common results of the diagnostic workup was nonspecific inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree (31% for haemoptysis, 38.7% for fever and 48.5% for chronic cough), with malignancy ranking second (17%, 26.1% and 26% respectively). The cytological results showed adenocarcinoma to be the most common lung cancer in both sexes (37.3% for men and 39.7% for women). The mortality rate was 0.04% and the frequency for major and minor complications was 0.56% and 0.33%, respectively. In conclusion, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a safe procedure and can play a major role in both diagnosis and treatment, as long as the requisites of preparation and supervision are followed.