Bronchoscopy with lavage (BAL)

Alternative names:

BAL

What the risks are:

The procedure is generally safe. There is a slight possibility of bleeding, respiratory arrest, collapse of a small portion of the lung, or infection. There is also a slight chance of a broken tooth or knocking a loose tooth out.

Special considerations:

To test if the gag reflex has returned, place a spoon on the back of your tongue for a few seconds with light pressure. If there is no gagging, wait 15 minutes and attempt it again. Make sure that no small or sharp objects are used to test this reflex.