Complications and hazards of gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

The diagnostic and therapeutic contribution of fiberoptic endoscopy to the advancement of the knowledge of gastrointestinal disease and to its proper management is already established. Technical refinements in the new instruments and extensive acceptance of the advantages of the method makes fiberendoscopy a procedure widely used throughout the world. Therefore, the appreciation of its potential risk of complications and hazards is justified. This review summarizes the complications and hazards of fiberoptic gastrointestinal endoscopy gleaned from reports of endoscopic surveys and individual experiences. Causes and means whereby complications related to upper intestinal and colonic endoscopy can be prevented or treated are discussed.

Using the Cancer Risk Management Model to Evaluate Colorectal Cancer Screening Options for Canada

“…Based on findings for cancer, colonoscopy sensitivity was lowered for proximal lesions 32,33 . Colonoscopy complication rates were 0.00014 for death, 0.0012 for perforation, and 0.0003 for hemorrhage [34][35][36][37] . Sigmoidoscopy parameters were assumed to be the same as those for colonoscopy in the distal colon and rectum.…”

Small bolus injections of intravenous midazolam for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a study of 788 consecutive cases

“…Most complications and deaths resulting from upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are cardiopulmonary in nature [4,5]. Many of these may be related to the use of intravenous sedation.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of the double-contrast enema for colonic polyps in patients with or without diverticular disease

“…Studies have demonstrated that these small polyps, even with the histologic characteristics of adenoma, rarely have foci of malignancy (less than 1 in 1000) [17][18][19][20][21]. Such data would justify the opinion of authors who maintain that colonoscopy should not be routinely used for such lesions, since the diagnostic benefits may not always justify the associated risks, even though minimal [22].…”