Bronchoscopy, often performed in Singapore under local anesthesia, helps diagnose persistent coughs, infections, or unusual chest X-ray results, potentially involving tissue sampling or blockage removal.

Common reasons for needing bronchoscopy are a persistent cough, infection or something unusual seen on a chest X-ray or other test.

In Singapore, the bronchoscopy procedure usually is done as a day procedure under local anaesthesia and sedation. You may be required to fast for at least 6 hours before the procedure. During the bronchoscopy, a thin tube (bronchoscope) is passed through your nose or mouth, down your throat and into your lungs. This method could also be used in order to obtain tissue samples or to remove blockages from the lungs.

Before the procedure, a local anaesthetic is given to numb the throat and nose followed by sedation given through a vein. On the average the whole procedure will take half an hour. After the procedure you will be monitored for 4 hours in the day surgery room.

During some procedures, special devices may be passed through the bronchoscope, such as a tool to obtain a biopsy, an electrocautery probe to control bleeding or a laser to reduce the size of an airway tumor. Special techniques are used to guide the collection of biopsies to ensure the desired area of the lung is sampled.

Thoracentesis and chest tube thoracostomy, performed by Dr. C.T. Yeo in Singapore, remove fluid or air from lungs for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

A thoracentesis (chest tap) is a procedure that removes fluid or air from the lungs’ surrounding area. A certified chest specialist will insert a needle into the pleural space through the chest wall. The pleural space is the narrow space between the lung’s pleura and the inner chest wall and the fluid or air is aspirated.

A chest tube (flexible plastic tube) can be used to drain air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space, which surrounds your lungs. Chest tube thoracostomy is another term for chest tube insertion. A small cut is made after local anaesthesia, and the tube is inserted between the ribs into the pleural space. To aid drainage, the tube could be connected to a machine. The tube is removed only when the fluid or air is removed and the lung has expanded.

The procedures are performed under ultrasound guidance by Dr. C.T. Yeo who is a chest specialist in Singapore. Both are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

The knowledge gained by Dr. Yeo over many years in his field of work as a lung & chest specialist has led him to hold integral positions in the medical industry in Singapore. He also actively imparted this knowledge on lung health and asthma treatments to his students at the Singapore General Hospital during his tenure at the hospital.

In Singapore, lung function tests include spirometry, lung diffusion capacity, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, pulse oximetry, and arterial blood gas tests, for maintaining lung health.

Some of the tests conducted for lung function testing and are available at our clinic in Singapore are as follows:

SPIROMETRY : This test measures the rate of air flow and can determine the lung size. Patient breathes into a tube that is connected to a computer a few times for this test.

LUNG DIFFUSION CAPACITY : A tube is used for the patient to breathe into for several minutes. A blood test to measure the level of haemoglobin might also be done for this test.

FRACTIONAL EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE TEST : In this test, the patient will be required to breathe out into a tube that’s connected to a portable device. It requires steady but not intense breathing.

PULSE OXIMETRY TEST : A probe is placed on the patient’s skin surface such as the finger or ear.

ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS TEST : This is a blood test that is drawn from an artery, generally in the wrist where pulse is measured. This test measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve your lung function, it is highly recommended to have tests done regularly.

Dr. C.T. Yeo, experienced ICU specialist, provides meticulous patient monitoring in general, high dependency, and intensive care units, also offering medical training.

Certain procedures would require close monitoring and continuous care to access and make sure the stability of the patient’s health is maintained. Our specialist, Dr C. T. Yeo has had years of experience in running the ICU department and has trained medical students, postgraduates as well as nurses in ICU care in areas such as incision of lines and managing ill patients. He attends to patients regularly and monitors their health closely at the general ward of hospitals, high dependency ward and intensive care unit (ICU).

Percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy is a precise, safe method for diagnosing indeterminate pulmonary lesions, requiring brief post-procedure observation and mild recovery.

Percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy is an effective, highly accurate, and safe method of obtaining tissue for the diagnosis of indeterminate pulmonary lesions.

This procedure uses CT scan to guide the needle biopsy of the lung lesion carried out at the radiological department. Using the biopsy needle, the radiologist will remove tiny pieces of tissue from the lesion and is then sent for further analysis.

This treatment will require the patient to stay in the day surgery and will be discharged 4 hours after biopsy and chest x-ray. The biopsy area may be tender or sore for one to two days.

Regular health screenings, including lung cancer screenings in Singapore, enable early disease detection and better treatment outcomes, regardless of age or lifestyle.

A hectic lifestyle coupled with age can sometimes cause various ailments. Regular screenings are essential to continuously monitor one’s health as we can develop ailments at any stage of our lives.

Health screening helps you detect particular conditions in early stages even if you feel perfectly well, without any symptoms and/or signs. Early detection, followed by treatment and good control of the condition can result in better outcomes, and lowers the risk of serious complications. It is highly recommended to get yourself screened even if you feel perfectly healthy.

Visit our clinic for comprehensive and customised health screenings based on your risk assessment and health status with our specialist. Lung cancer screenings here in Singapore, help to diagnose otherwise undetected issues.

Oxygen therapy, provided 15-24 hours daily, can stabilize pulmonary arterial hypertension, reduce hospital visits, and enhance exercise capacity.

Oxygen therapy is given to patients between 15 – 24 hours a day. It is known to stabilise and sometimes reverse the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension, which might ultimately reduce hospital visits for patients. It also increases the exercising capacities of patients and reduces the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Pleural biopsy methods include thoracoscopic biopsy using a flexible tube, needle biopsy guided by X-ray or CT scan, and open biopsy for larger samples.

There are 3 methods to do a pleural biopsy:

THORACOSCOPIC BIOPSY – Like endoscopy, a flexible tube is inserted through the mouth and into the pleural space, where the doctor can see and take a piece of the tissue for further observation.

NEEDLE BIOPSY – This method uses the help of either an X-ray or a CT scan to guide the injection of the needle directly into the pleural membrane.

OPEN BIOPSY – In a case where a sample from needle biopsy is too small to get a diagnosis, an incision is made in the skin to get access to the lung. A piece of the pleura will then be removed for further observation.

Singapore’s customized COPD treatment program, available in-clinic or at home, includes exercises, diet plans, and psychosocial assistance to improve patient’s quality of life.

In Singapore, COPD treatment can be done at our clinic or even in the comfort of your own home. The program includes a series of activities like aerobics and muscle exercises. The patient will also be provided with information on a dietary program.

During the COPD treatment programme, people with chronic lung diseases undergo supervised exercise training. This occurs in the outpatient environment of a hospital. The programme is patient-specific in Singapore and contains workout routines, techniques for respiratory and chest physiotherapy and psychosocial assistance.

The following are some of the advantages of COPD treatment:

• Dyspnoea, exhaustion, feelings, and patient control over disease all improve quality of life
• Maximal exercise capability, endurance time, and walking distance have all improved
• Anxiety, depression, and psychological well-being are all reduced
• Experiencing less dyspnoea
• Reduced hospitalisation and acute exacerbation

To know more about the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program (COPD treatment) available in Singapore, kindly contact our clinic to make an appointment with our specialist.

Untreated flu can lead to severe complications or death. Vaccinations, effective after two weeks, are recommended for all adults.

The flu, if left untreated can lead to serious health complications and even death. Getting vaccinated helps to prevent the flu. Flu vaccines take about two weeks to be effective.

It is highly recommended that every adult should be vaccinated especially those with a high likelihood of developing flu-related complications and those who care for or live with such people, such as health care workers.

Pneumococcal infections which pose a global health concern can be kept at bay with this vaccination. Particularly at high risk are infants, the elderly and individuals with chronic medical illnesses or weakened immune systems.