Utility of intraoperative endoscopy: implications for surgical education

The use of intraoperative endoscopy by surgeons can identify pathology and help determine the appropriate procedure to perform. However, residency training in endoscopy is often variable and unstructured. The purpose of this study was to determine the indications for and impact of intraoperative endoscopy performed at the time of general surgical procedures.

The records of all patients who underwent intraoperative endoscopy from January 1998 to December 1999 were reviewed. The indications for endoscopy, endoscopic findings, the impact of these findings on the operation performed, complications, and whether the patient was spared from undergoing a second procedure on a separate date were noted.

A total of 107 intraoperative endoscopic procedures were performed in 103 patients. Excluding breast, endocrine, central line, and peritoneal dialysis catheter cases, endoscopy was utilized in 5.1% of all general surgery procedures performed during this time period. In 91 patients (88%), the endoscopic procedure was planned preoperatively; in 13 (12%), intraoperative findings dictated its use. The most common indications for endoscopy were identification of lesions and determination of extent of resection (n = 27); evaluation of rectal bleeding (n = 21); colonic evaluation in patients with perianal infections (n = 13); evaluation of extent of injury in trauma cases (n = 8); evaluation of pain (n = 6); evaluation of intestinal tract hemorrhage (n = 6); performance of procedures such as placement of a biliary stent, placement of a nasojejunal tube, or polypectomy (n = 5); and surveillance of chronic disease (n = 5). In 37 patients (36%), the endoscopic findings affected the operation performed. Sixty-nine patients (67%) were spared an endoscopic procedure at a second date, which would have required additional sedation or anesthesia. There were no complications related to endoscopy.

Intraoperative endoscopy is a valuable tool that can be performed safely for multiple indications and is frequently of value in determining the operation to be performed. Surgical residents should be trained in the indications for endoscopic evaluation as well as the competent performance of such procedures.