The importance and usefulness of early detection in the prevention of colon cancer has made colonoscopy commonplace in modern medicine.
The development of newer powerful anesthetics that can be administered by an anesthesiologist enable these procedures to be essentially painless. Because these powerful medicines are both quick to work and quick to wear off, patients no longer have the lingering sedative effects of the older medicines that lasted long after the procedure was over. Patient safety is optimized by the anesthesiologist’s undivided attention to the patients’ vital signs, and the gastroenterologist benefits from the improved environment provided by a quiet and comfortable patient. Also commonplace today are upper endoscopic procedures that involve examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. This procedure is also painless and safe when performed with the newer medicines administered by an anesthesiologist.
