[Anesthesia and safety of procedures outside the operating room: "everyone's responsibility"]

Due to important technological improvements, anesthesiological activity outside the operating theatre is increasing. Most of these procedures are performed for gastroenterology procedures; other procedures include medical imaging, electroconvulsive therapy or cardioversion. The practice of anesthesia at alternative sites is associated with logistical difficulties with many constraints. Anesthesia will be requested if the procedure is likely to be unpleasant or painful, if the patient is not cooperative, or if the patient's hemodynamic condition is unstable. The pre-anesthesia assessment, an adequate monitoring and an appropriate choice of the anesthetic technique and drugs will be helpful in managing an anesthetic procedure too frequently neglected despite it is associated with risks similar to procedures performed in the operating theatre.