Is Sedation Necessary for Successful Completion of Flexible Bronchoscopy?

In Brief Flexible bronchoscopy is generally a safe procedure with few complications. The procedure is usually performed with sedation to maximize patient comfort. However, use of sedation may predispose the patient to cardiorespiratory complications. We carried out a literature review to evaluate the myth that sedation is required for successful completion of flexible bronchoscopy without causing undue distress to the patient and an increase in complications. Flexible bronchoscopy is usually performed under conscious sedation for patient comfort. However, sedation by itself has its own risks that may compromise the patients' already compromised respiratory status. Reports of successful completion of bronchoscopy with and without using sedation exist in the literature. We perform a literature review, grading the studies based on the level of evidence, to assess the effects of sedation on the outcomes of flexible bronchoscopy and whether its use is justified for successful completion of the procedure.