Arterial oxygen saturation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients: the role of endoscope...

The effect of endoscope diameter upon arterial oxygen saturation was investigated in 52 elderly patients by comparing two groups of 26 patients examined with different diameter endoscopes (PQ20 and Q10). In the group of 26 patients examined with the larger endoscope (Q10), the baseline oxygen saturation values and those during intubation were significantly higher than in the group examined with the smaller instrument (PQ20). There was no significant difference in oxygen saturation between the two groups after sedation or during the procedure as a whole. Our findings suggest that the examination of elderly patients using a standard diameter endoscope does not pose any greater risk.