General endotracheal anesthesia for ERCP: Don ’t sleep on it!

The use of anesthesia for ERCP has evolved substantially in recent years. Historically, ERCP was performed with the use of moderate (conscious) sedation administered by gastroenterologists using opiates, analgesics, or long-acting benzodiazepines, with or without adjunctive agents such as droperidol or diphenhydramine. The use of conscious sedation for ERCP has largely been abandoned. The longer procedure times associated with ERCP lead to greater cumulative doses of benzodiazepines and opiates to maintain adequate sedation.
Source: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Original article Source Type: research