What are the side effects of a bronchoscopy?

Minor...: You can have some bleeding after a bronchoscopy. This is usually very mild and shortlived. Other concerns could be a pneumothorax or collapsed lung. This is usually more of a concern if biopsies are done in the outer portions of the lung during the bronchoscopy.

Various: They are rare, but can include: sore throat, fever, bleeding, pneumonia, pneumothorax (punctured lung), desaturations (drops in oxygen level in the blood).

Not many: Usually, patients will have a sore throat for a few days. If biopsies are done, there may be some small amounts of blood coughed up for a few days. There is a chance of puncturing a lung with the biopsies if those are done. this potentially will require a chest tube and a stay in the hospital. There's also the chance of severe bleeding depending on what's done during the procedure.