A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY EVALUATING THE USEFULNESS OF CONTINUOUS SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN IN VARIOUS ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES

The influence of oxygen supplementation on the prevalence of hypoxemia during endoscopic procedures was studied in 289 patients in a prospec tive clinical trial. The frequency of oxygen desaturation was found to decrease significantly in patients receiving oxygen via nasal prongs, compared to patients not receiving oxygen supplementation. The effect Was demonstrated especially in patients who underwent an additional p rocedure during their endoscopic examinations. Similar effects were fo und in patients undergoing gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopic re trograde cholangiopancreatography. In view of the risks related to hyp oxemia and its high prevalence in endoscopic procedures (28-50%) we re commend that a routine oxygen supplementation policy be considered in every patient undergoing endoscopy, especially when additional procedu res are to be performed.