If you have breathing problems, bleeding or a chronic cough
that has not gone away, our surgeons, pulmonologist or oncologists may perform
a bronchoscopy, under local or general anesthesia, to examine your lungs,
trachea, vocal cords or airways. Novant Health UVA Health System experts may
take biopsies of suspicious tissues for further examination.
Laser treatment for cancerous growths may also be performed
during a bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. The procedure may be used to
pump out bronchial fluid or flush internal tissues. Children may have a
bronchoscopy if they have inhaled foreign objects.
Surgery may be performed for other conditions as well, such
as collapsed lung or fluid around the lung.