Role of Flexible Bronchoscopy in Respiratory Management of Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Sylvia Sagita Siahaan; Allen  Widysanto; Titis Dewi  Wahyuni; Victor Nugroho  Wijaya; Magdalena  Sirait; Emily Wibowo  Otto

doi:10.36497/respirsci.v6i3.221

Authors

Sylvia Sagita Siahaan Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang
Allen Widysanto Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang
Titis Dewi Wahyuni Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang
Victor Nugroho Wijaya Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang
Magdalena Sirait Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang
Emily Wibowo Otto Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36497/respirsci.v6i3.221

Keywords:

bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, intensive care unit

Abstract

Background: Respiratory disorders are a major challenge in the ICU, with 30-50% of patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Flexible bronchoscopy provides direct visualization of the airways and plays a critical role in pulmonary diagnosis and therapy. Although widely used in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide, data on its effectiveness and safety in Indonesian ICUs remain limited.

Method: This is a descriptive, retrospective study using medical records data from patients aged 15 to 85 years who underwent mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Purposive sampling was used, with a sample size of 140. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.

Results: Of 140 samples, most were male (65%), with a mean age of 57.64 years. Comorbidities were present in 83.7%, primarily cardiovascular disease (28.8%). The most common indication was combined diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (45.7%). Chest X-ray improvement was observed in 75.7% of patients. FiO₂ requirements increased after bronchoscopy. Most bronchoscopy findings indicated infection (60%), and hypoxemia was the most frequent complication (9.3%).

Conclusion: Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe and effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.