The effectiveness of lateral position during flexible bronchoscopy

Introduction Flexible bronchoscopy is usually performed with supine or semi-recumbent position. However, which of patient posture is effective is not clear. Supine position during bronchoscopy can cause massive aspirates of oral secretion. It can cause complications like hypoxia and post bronchoscopy pneumonia. Patient in lateral position can flow out oral secretion naturally. Aims and objectives This study is designed to investigate differences between supine and lateral position in amount of oral secretion aspirates and incidences of post-bronchoscopy complications. Methods: Seventy-four patients requiring diagnostic bronchoscopy were randomized into two groups. Patient demographics, amount of oral secretion aspirates, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO2, post-bronchoscopy complications (like hypoxia, pneumonia etc.) were recorded. Results 38 patients had bronchoscopy in supine position, 36 in lateral position. The amount of oral secretion aspirates is larger in supine position (12.3 ml Vs 7.2 ml, pl0.001). The incidences of post-bronchoscpy pneumonia (0% Vs 0%), hypoxia (15.7% Vs 13.9%, p=0.818) are not different in two groups. Conclusions Lateral position during bronchoscopy can reduce the amount of oral secretion aspirates.