Outcomes of retained gastrointestinal debris during upper endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopic Procedures
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Gastrointestinal debris retention (GIDR) complicates endoscopy, potentially causing procedure abortion and aspiration.
• The rise in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) use may increase GIDR prevalence.
• Risk stratification for patients with GIDR is crucial for optimizing endoscopic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of GIDR on the incidence of endoscopic complications.
• To identify factors associated with GIDR during endoscopic procedures.
• To assess the relationship between GIDR and adverse procedural outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 138 patients with GIDR and 275 controls undergoing endoscopy.
• Propensity score matching based on age, sex, BMI, and ASA status (1:2 ratio).
• Statistical analysis using t-tests and chi-square tests to compare groups.

Main Results:

• The GIDR group was younger with lower BMI; no significant differences in sex, race, or ASA status.
• GIDR was more common for indications like abnormal imaging, pain, and pancreatico-biliary issues.
• Large debris volume was associated with a higher rate of aborted procedures.

Conclusions:

• This study found no significant increase in post-endoscopy complications for patients with GIDR.
• Higher rates of opiate use were observed in the GIDR group, suggesting its potential role in risk stratification.
• Further research can refine risk assessment and management strategies for GIDR.