Role of ultrathin transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy: experience with 50 patients

Conventional gastroscopes have a diameter of 8.8-12 mm; ultrathin endoscopes have an outer diameter of 5.3-5.9 mm. We share our experience with 50 patients who underwent transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy using an ultrathin endoscope. The indications included endoscopyassisted nasogastric tube placement in 25 patients, tight lesions not negotiable with conventional endoscope in 9, restricted mouth opening in 9, corrosive injury in 3, restricted cervical spine movement in 2 and altered sensorium following cerebrovascular accident in 2 patients. Transnasal esophageal intubation failed in 1 patient each with oropharyngeal malignancy and lipoma annularis coli. Wire-guided naso-jejunal tube placement was done in 2 patients and transnasal percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was done in 1 patient. Two patients developed self-limiting epistaxis. Ultrathin transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscope is a useful tool in endoscopy units, particularly those dealing with oncology patients. Inability to deliver endotherapy due to small diameter of the working channel is a limitation.