Why do they sedate you for a colonoscopy

In research, size matters. Previous studies were too small to find rare outcomes, like the complications that we studied.

To maximize our ability to draw conclusions, we examined a large set of claims data on more than 3 million colonoscopies nationwide in adults aged 40 to Overall, we found a link between use of anesthesia services indicating deep sedation and a 13 percent higher risk of any complication within 30 days: specifically, higher risk of perforation, bleeding, abdominal pain, complications due to anesthesia, and stroke.

The risk of puncturing the wall of the colon was higher by 26 percent with anesthesia services only in those patients who had at least one polyp removed. We found that one in three colonoscopies were done with anesthesia services. And this proportion rose in each region in the United States during the period we studied— through —and is likely even higher now.

Prevalence of anesthesia use during colonoscopy varied significantly by region: more than half in the Northeast; and less than one in 10 in the West. If you have conscious sedation, it is usually administered by the doctor who performs your colonoscopy.

If you undergo general anesthesia also known as full or deep sedation , you can expect to be monitored by a credentialed anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist. At Yale Medicine, anesthesiologists caring for patients who want deep sedation for their colonoscopy typically use a drug called propofol. Rock explains.

Propofol works quickly; most patients are unconscious within five minutes. Propofol is considered safe and effective for most patients, but there are some side effects that need to be considered. The drug may lower blood pressure and cause slower breathing.

Rock says that 95 percent of patients are able to tolerate propofol well. And some riskier patients are not good candidates to go without sedation, including those with a severe disease or condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes or morbid obesity, among others. Read More. HCG blood test - qua Vaginal yeast infect Black or tarry stool Traumatic Injury Pulse - weak or abse Dehydration Leg pain Urine concentration Academic Health Center The University of Florida Academic Health Center - the most comprehensive academic health center in the Southeast - is dedicated to high-quality programs of education, research, patient care and public service.

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Home Is an anesthesiologist needed for routine colonoscopies? Maybe not. Is an anesthesiologist needed for routine colonoscopies? Deep sedation. This is deeper still, and patients will respond to repeated painful stimulation, but usually non-purposefully. Breathing may be impaired, as may cardiovascular function. The patient will have no memory of what happened while under deep sedation amnesia.

General anesthesia. In this case, the patient does not respond to painful stimulation at all. Breathing is usually impaired, and airways support and ventilation are usually needed e. Cardiovascular function may be impaired as well. I perform totally unsedated colonoscopy about once or twice a month.

This is in patients who — for various reasons — do not want any sedation. The big advantage is that the patient recovers immediately after the procedure and can go to work or drive right away. They do not need anyone to accompany them home. It also eliminates the possible complications that can occur with any form of anesthesia. While the procedure itself can cause some cramping or gassy abdominal pain, this can be minimized through the use of carbon dioxide to inflate the colon and special techniques to advance the scope.

If you want this, make sure that the gastroenterologist has experience doing unsedated colonoscopy.