BRONCHOSCOPY & CHEST TUBE -1

ICU Family Guide
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ICU Family Guide

Understanding your loved one’s care

How it works

Tiny camera tip Enters via mouth Left lung Right lung

Step by step

1

Preparation

Your loved one is given sedation or light anaesthesia to keep them comfortable. If already on a breathing machine, it is done through the tube.

2

Scope is passed

A thin flexible tube with a camera (about the width of a pencil) is gently passed through the mouth or breathing tube down into the airways.

3

Examination & samples

The doctor looks at the airways on a screen, clears mucus or blockages, and may collect a small sample if needed for testing.

4

Finished — usually 15–30 min

The scope is removed. Your loved one is closely monitored by nurses for a short period afterward.

Common questions

No. Sedation is given so your loved one will not feel pain. They may not even remember the procedure.
Common reasons include clearing secretions that block airways, collecting samples to identify infections, or diagnosing bleeding inside the lungs.
It is a routine ICU procedure done by experienced doctors. Temporary drops in oxygen levels can occur but are managed immediately by the team.
Usually families wait outside during the procedure. The nurse will update you as soon as it is done.
💬 A note for families This procedure helps the care team keep your loved one’s airways clear and better understand what is happening in their lungs. It is a sign that the team is actively working to help them.

How it works

DRAIN Tube entry point Drainage bottle Left side Right side

Step by step

1

Pain relief given

The skin is numbed with a local anaesthetic injection, and pain medication is given. Your loved one will feel pressure but not sharp pain.

2

Small incision

A small cut — about 1–2 cm — is made between the ribs on the side of the chest. The tube is then carefully guided into the space around the lung.

3

Tube is secured

The tube is stitched in place and connected to a sealed drainage bottle. You will see fluid or air bubbling out — this is normal and expected.

4

Stays in until healed

The tube remains in place for hours to days depending on the condition. When drainage stops and the lung has re-expanded, it is gently removed.

Common questions

Common reasons are a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), fluid around the lung (pleural effusion), or blood from trauma. Draining this allows the lung to expand and breathe properly.
There can be some discomfort once it is in place. The team provides regular pain relief to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible.
It is a sealed drainage bottle. It collects what is removed from around the lung and prevents air from going back in. Bubbling or fluid in it is a good sign — it means drainage is happening.
A small scar may remain where the tube was inserted, but it is usually minor and fades over time.
💬 A note for families Seeing a tube coming out of your loved one’s chest can be alarming. Know that this is helping their lung breathe better. The drainage bottle and the nurses’ regular checks are all part of keeping them safe.