HF 5484

Caring for Your Child After a Laryngoscopy or Bronchoscopy

What is a laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy?

A laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy is an exam of the inside of the throat or air passage that leads to the lungs. A viewing tube (scope) with a light and camera on the end is passed through the mouth and down the throat. A biopsy may be taken, or tissue may be removed from the throat or airway.


What to Expect

  • It is normal to cough up a small amount of blood the day of the scope. This is from the “scope” irritating the airway.

  • Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief or fever, if needed. Follow the directions on the bottle.

  • Your child can take part in their normal routine once they feel better.

  • Your child may feel sick to their stomach from the anesthesia. Start with clear liquids and move on to solid food as their stomach can handle it. If your child has nausea or vomiting, start over with clear liquids.

  • Keep your child away from second-hand smoke since this makes it hard to breathe.

  • Your child may have a hoarse voice. This should improve slowly and be back to normal in a few days.


When to Call

If your child has:

  • Rapid breathing, hard time breathing or extra-noisy breathing, take them to the nearest emergency room and call your doctor.

  • Any bleeding after the day of surgery.

  • Nausea or vomiting that lasts for more than 24 hours.

  • A fever over 102 degrees F (when taken by mouth).

  • Pain not controlled by Tylenol or ibuprofen.

  • Painful to swallow for more than 24 hours.


Who to Call

If your child was seen for their pre-op appointment in the Madison Pediatric ENT Clinic at the American Family Children’s Hospital, call (608) 263-6420, option 3, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

If your child was seen for their pre-op appointment in the Rockford Pediatric ENT Clinic at the Women and Children’s Hospital, call (779) 696-8499, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

After hours, weekends or holidays, please call the Madison/American Family Children’s Hospital phone number. This number will give you the paging operator. Ask for the otolaryngology (ENT) doctor on call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.

Toll-free number: 1-800-323-8942.