Anesthetic considerations for advanced gastrointestinal procedures

Advanced endoscopy encompasses specialized endoscopic procedures beyond the typical diagnostic upper gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, increasingly replacing traditional surgical procedures, both diagnostic and therapeutic. Given the complexity of patients and procedures, anesthesiologists are part of the team, and knowledge and familiarity with the steps and complications of the procedure are very important.

Advanced endoscopy involves minimally invasive techniques for endoscopic resection of premalignant and early-stage malignant lesions, either mucosal or submucosal, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the treatment of pancreatic and biliary duct disease, motility and bariatric procedures, such as peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty or intragastric balloon for weight loss, stenting and deep enteroscopic techniques, and our anesthetic technique must be tailored accordingly.

Because of advancements in equipment and technique and complex patients who are not suitable for more invasive surgical procedures, advanced endoscopy representing an ever-growing portion of diagnosis and therapy of gastroenterology pathology. Given that such procedures take place outside of the main operating room, in the nonoperating-room space, anesthesiologists face challenges related to the procedure and the location, and close collaboration with advanced gastrointestinal teams addressing the procedural steps, complications, workflow and efficiency is needed for patient safety and team satisfaction.