[Is premedication in gastroscopy hazardous?]

Premedication for gastroscopies is still controversial. Most gastroenterologists use premedication routinely, often without control of vital signs. However, even if rarely, serious (mainly cardiorespiratory) complications still occur. In 101 patients in whom a gastroscopy had been performed, oxygen saturation before, during and after the endoscopy was investigated. A fall in saturation was seen in most of the patients but was usually minor. However, severe hypoxemia occurred in some patients, especially if premedication was used. Older patients and patients with severe anemia were particularly at risk. These results emphasize that premedication should not be used without precaution and special surveillance, especially in high risk patients. Prophylactic oxygen administration significantly diminishes the risk.