Can you be awake during bronchoscopy?

Yes: For most bronchoscopies we use "conscious sedation"; this means that you are comfortable for the procedure but not usually put to sleep/asleep. The procedure should not be painful and should be comfortable. You may have coughing during the procedure.

Kids-no: In pediatrics bronchoscopies are done with deep sedation and the child is asleep, but breathing on their own.

Yes: I have seen 2 awake bronchoscopies. Both were on patients that were so hypoxic, if they were put to sleep, they would have likely ended up on the ventilator. Both patients did fine. Also, I talked to an attending once that had a bronch done while completely awake just so they could go to work when it was done.