The Role of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy In Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

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

Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study using medical records data from patients aged 15-85 years who underwent mechanical ventilation in the ICU. A purposive sampling method was applied with a sample size of 140. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.

Results: Among 140 samples, the majority were male (65%) with an average age of 57.64 years. Comorbidities were present in 83.7%, mainly cardiovascular disease (28.8%). The most common indication was a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (45.7%). Chest X-ray improvement was seen in 75.7% of patients. There was an increase in FiO2 requirement after bronchoscopy. Most bronchoscopy findings indicated infection (60%), with hypoxemia as the most frequent complication (9.3%).

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