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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
05:43
Topical Airway Anesthesia for Awake-endoscopic Intubation Using the Spray-as-you-go Technique with High Oxygen Flow
Published on: January 13, 2017
Throat spray, sedation or anaesthetic?
1Honorary Professor of Gastroenterology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. anthony.axon@btinternet.com
Digestion
|April 22, 2010
Summary
Sedation for digestive endoscopy depends on procedure invasiveness, patient preference, and safety. While many tolerate unsedated upper endoscopy, colonoscopy often requires sedation or anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Digestive endoscopy encompasses diverse procedures with varying sedation needs.
- Patient comfort, procedure invasiveness, and operator requirements influence sedation decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the available choices and approaches in endoscopic sedation practice.
- To discuss the factors governing the need for sedation in digestive endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices and literature on endoscopic sedation.
- Discussion of patient-reported tolerance and operator considerations.
Main Results:
- Many patients accept unsedated upper endoscopy with throat spray.
- Fewer patients opt for unsedated colonoscopy, highlighting procedural differences.
- Sedation and general anesthesia present distinct clinical advantages and disadvantages.
Conclusions:
- Sedation choices in digestive endoscopy are multifactorial, balancing patient and procedural needs.
- Understanding these choices is crucial for optimizing patient experience and safety in endoscopic procedures.
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