Sedation or Anesthesia for Endoscopy: Understanding the Differences

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Endoscopy is a very common, simple, and quick examination, but uncomfortable for most people.

Therefore, sedation is necessary to perform the examination.

Learn in this article from EndoBlog about the types of sedation for endoscopy, the administered medication, why it is necessary, and what happens to the patient after the procedure.

Sedation for endoscopy: what type is used?

The chosen sedation for endoscopy is deep sedation. This means that the substance acts directly on the patient’s consciousness and sleep state.

To be more efficient, the medication is applied intravenously and acts immediately in the body in two ways:

• Amnesia: the patient usually does not remember many details of the examination.
• Deep sleep: the patient falls into a deep sleep, and the examination can be carried out calmly by the doctor.

Medication used

The medication chosen for endoscopy varies depending on the location of the examination but is usually Propofol or a Benzodiazepine (such as Midazolam).

An Opioid (Fentanyl or Meperidine) is also occasionally used. The medication needs to be prescribed by the doctor, according to the patient’s peculiarities (age, presence of comorbidities, risk factors, etc.).

Furthermore, the dosage of sedation for endoscopy is calculated by the doctor to last only as long as the examination requires. Thus, the patient can regain consciousness and go home after the procedure. Remember that it is not allowed to drive after sedation.

The drugs used for endoscopy sedation are controlled and provide a pleasant sensation to the patient; therefore, there is nothing to worry about.

Why is sedation for endoscopy necessary?

Sedation is very important for the examination. Endoscopy involves inserting the endoscope through the throat, causing nausea, a sensation of vomiting, and a lot of discomfort.

Therefore, sedation is extremely necessary so that the patient can relax, sleep, and not feel gagging and discomfort.

Who administers anesthesia for endoscopy?

In summary, the endoscopist doctor can perform venous sedation, but it is not allowed for the professional to perform the examination and anesthesia simultaneously, according to the guidelines of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM).

Therefore, the sedation that precedes the endoscopy examination is usually done by an anesthesiologist, a professional trained in Medicine with a medical residency in the area of anesthesia, in order to keep the patient adequately sedated, according to all the specifics of the case.

What happens after the sedation procedure?

The sedation procedure and the examination, in the case of diagnostic endoscopy, tend to be quick, between 10 and 15 minutes. In the case of therapeutic endoscopy, performed for treatment purposes (such as removal of tumors or polyps), the duration will depend on the type of lesion.

In any case, the complexity is considered by the anesthesiologist when administering the medication, and, after the end of the procedure, it is recommended that the patient rest for up to 30 minutes to recover from the main effects of sedation.

To aid recovery, the patient may consume some light food, such as fruit, and it is essential to have a companion to take them home, as driving is not permitted.

If the person feels any discomfort, such as abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting, it is necessary to seek medical attention to take care of the case.

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