CONDITIONS OF PRACTICE OF UPPER ENDOSCOPY IN AMBULATORY CARE - RESULTS OF A NATIONWIDE SURVEY IN FRANCE

Objectives. - The aim of the study was to describe the usual condition s of practice of esophagogastroscopy in ambulatory care by French gast roenterologists.Methods. - During a week, a questionnaire was filled o ut for each esophagogastroscopy performed in ambulatory or day care. R esults. - Seven hundred and thirty nine gastroenterologists participat ed in the study (25.9% of French gastroenterologists) and enrolled 458 5 patients. Infra-venous sedation was performed in 36.6% of endoscopic examinations, with diazepam (17.8%), midazolam (41.7%), propofol (14. 9%), diazepam and propofol (2.1%) or midazolam and propofol (23.5%). A morphinomimetic was associated in 58.6% of cases. Monitoring equipmen t of endoscopy units was: aspiration (58.6%), pulse oxymeter (41.6%), electrocardiographic monitoring (37.7%). Recommendations about follow- up after ambulatory anaesthesia were not implemented in 7,3% of examin ations with anaesthesia (patient discharged alone). Seventeen minor ad verse events were recorded. Conclusion. - The study underlines variabi lity of practice, mainly about use of sedation, monitoring and follow- up of patients during esophagogastroscopy performed in ambulatory care in France. An improvement in qualify of endoscopy practice is likely.