Sedation and analgesia for gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy

Choledocholithiasis in Pregnancy: A Case Report

Cholelithiasis during pregnancy and the postpartum period has an incidence of 12%, with pregnancy being an important risk factor for gallstones. Patients with choledocholithiasis can experience complications, such as obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, and pancreatitis, which may be detrimental to both mother and fetus.

A case of cholelithiasis in a second-trimester pregnancy was complicated by choledocholithiasis and obstructive jaundice. Ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), along with serial blood tests, confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment was safely achieved using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

In pregnancy, complicated cholelithiasis is investigated using blood tests, ultrasonography, and cholangiography. Evidence supports the use of intraoperative or endoscopic cholangiography for the management of such complicated gallstone disease in pregnancy.

Endoscopy in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Background Fetomaternal outcomes are of primary concern for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in pregnancy. We aimed to systematically review the safety and utility of endoscopic procedures in pregnancy.

Methods A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed. All original research articles with sample size > 10 involving endoscopy in pregnancy were included for the review along with case report/series describing novel/rare techniques from 1948 to July 2021.

Results After screening 12,197 references, 216 citations were found and finally 66 references were included. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy had favorable fetal outcome (>95%) based on two large retrospective studies and a review of case reports. Sclerotherapy and band ligation of varices were safe according to case series. A large nationwide cohort study established safety of endotherapy for nonvariceal bleed. Botulinum toxin and pneumatic dilation in achalasia are only supported by case reports. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy can be useful to support nutrition based on case reports. A retrospective case–control and cohort study with systemic review justified flexible sigmoidoscopy if strongly indicated. Low birth weight was more common when sigmoidoscopy was done in inflammatory bowel disease based on a prospective study. Colonoscopy was considered safe in second trimester based on a case–control study whereas it can be performed otherwise only in presence of strong indication like malignancy. Capsule endoscopy is promising and can be useful in acute small bowel bleeding although risk of capsule retention is unknown. There are no reports of enteroscopy in pregnancy. Twelve retrospective studies and one prospective study showed high success rate of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (> 90%) in all trimesters and can be performed if strongly indicated. Pregnancy was an independent risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis in a large nationwide case–control study. Radiation-free ERCP with wire-guided bile observation, stent-guided or precut sphincterotomy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance, and spyscopy have been described. Safety of EUS is limited to case series and can be used in intermediate probability of choledocholithiasis to guide ERCP and endoscopic cystogastrostomy.

Conclusion This review concludes that GI endoscopy during pregnancy can be done effectively if strongly indicated with good fetomaternal outcomes. Precautions are advocated during procedures where radiation exposure is expected.

Safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically challenging procedure rarely associated with severe postprocedure complications. Hormonal changes during pregnancy promote cholelithiasis, but there are limited clinical data available on the outcomes of ERCP in pregnant women. ERCP techniques without irradiation were recently introduced as potential alternative. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of ERCP in pregnancy and to compare outcomes of radiation versus nonradiation ERCP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Medline/Ovid, Web of Science, and Google Scholar through April 18^th, 2018 using PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines identified 27 studies reporting the outcomes of ERCP in pregnancy. Random effects pooled event rate and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Heterogeneity was measured by I², and meta-regression analysis was conducted. Adverse outcomes were divided into fetal, maternal pregnancy-related, and maternal nonpregnancy-related.

RESULTS

In all, 27 studies reporting on 1,307 pregnant patients who underwent ERCP were identified. Median age was 27.1 years. All results were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The pooled event rate for overall adverse outcomes was 15.9% (95% CI = 0.132-0.191) in all studies combined, 17.6% (95% CI = 0.109-0.272) in nonradiation ERCP (NR-ERCP) subgroup and 21.6% (95% CI = 0.154-0.294) in radiation ERCP subgroup. There was no significant difference in the pooled event rate for fetal adverse outcomes in NR-ERCP 6.2% (95% CI = 0.027-0.137) versus 5.2% (95% CI = 0.026-0.101) in radiation ERCP group. There was no significant difference in maternal pregnancy-related adverse outcome event rate between NR-ERCP (8.4%) (95% CI = 0.038-0.173) and radiation ERCP (7.1%) (95% CI = 0.039-0.125). Maternal nonpregnancy-related adverse outcome event rate in NR-ERCP was 7.6% (95% CI = 0.038-0.145), which was half the event rate in radiation ERCP group of 14.9% (95% CI = 0.102-0.211).

CONCLUSIONS

ERCP done by experienced endoscopists is a safe procedure during pregnancy. Radiation-free techniques appear to reduce the rates of nonpregnancy-related complications, but not of fetal and pregnancy-related complications.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy in pregnancy

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has a major diagnostic and therapeutic role in most gastrointestinal disorders; however, limited information is available about clinical efficacy and safety in pregnant patients. The major risks of endoscopy during pregnancy include potential harm to the fetus because of hypoxia, premature labor, trauma and teratogenesis. In some cases, endoscopic procedures may be postponed until after delivery. When emergency or urgent indications are present, endoscopic procedures may be considered with some precautions. United States Food and Drug Administration category B drugs may be used in low doses. Endoscopic procedures during pregnancy may include upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, enteroscopy of the small bowel or video capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasonography. All gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in pregnant patients should be performed in hospitals by expert endoscopists and an obstetrician should be informed about all endoscopic procedures. The endoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy may be safe for the fetus and pregnant patient, and may be performed during pregnancy when strong indications are present. Colonoscopy for pregnant patients may be considered for strong indications during the second trimester. Although therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be considered during pregnancy, this procedure should be performed only for strong indications and attempts should be made to minimize radiation exposure.

Sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy: current issues

Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy can successfully be performed by applying moderate (conscious) sedation. Moderate sedation, using midazolam and an opioid, is the standard method of sedation, although propofol is increasingly being used in many countries because the satisfaction of endoscopists with propofol sedation is greater compared with their satisfaction with conventional sedation. Moreover, the use of propofol is currently preferred for the endoscopic sedation of patients with advanced liver disease due to its short biologic half-life and, consequently, its low risk of inducing hepatic encephalopathy. In the future, propofol could become the preferred sedation agent, especially for routine colonoscopy. Midazolam is the benzodiazepine of choice because of its shorter duration of action and better pharmacokinetic profile compared with diazepam. Among opioids, pethidine and fentanyl are the most popular. A number of other substances have been tested in several clinical trials with promising results. Among them, newer opioids, such as remifentanil, enable a faster recovery. The controversy regarding the administration of sedation by an endoscopist or an experienced nurse, as well as the optimal staffing of endoscopy units, continues to be a matter of discussion. Safe sedation in special clinical circumstances, such as in the cases of obese, pregnant, and elderly individuals, as well as patients with chronic lung, renal or liver disease, requires modification of the dose of the drugs used for sedation. In the great majority of patients, sedation under the supervision of a properly trained endoscopist remains the standard practice worldwide. In this review, an overview of the current knowledge concerning sedation during digestive endoscopy will be provided based on the data in the current literature.

Are proton pump inhibitors safe during pregnancy and lactation? Evidence to date

Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD) are estimated to occur in 30-50% of pregnancies, with the incidence approaching 80% in some populations. As with many other conditions in pregnancy, medical therapy with pharmaceutical agents is a concern, as the potential teratogenicity of medications is not well known. Although prevalence numbers are high, many patients have mild and infrequent symptoms, which often respond to lifestyle and dietary modifications. The exact mechanism and pathogenesis of GERD associated with pregnancy is likely multifactorial. Treatment strategies for patients not responding to conservative therapies include a step-up approach initially starting with antacids and alginates, and progressing to histamine H(2) receptor antagonists followed by proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy if indicated by symptoms. Although PPI therapy is the most effective treatment available for GERD, the data related to the safety for use during pregnancy and postpartum breastfeeding are mostly obtained from cohort analysis. Given the significant adverse impact of GERD on quality of life and functionality, the use of this class of medications should not be overly restricted based solely on the pregnancy. Based on the studies presented, exposure to PPI therapy during pregnancy seems to predispose the fetus to minimal risk and, overall, these medications should be discussed with the primary physician if symptomatically necessary in the pregnant patient. This evidence-based review will address the management and safety of PPI therapy during pregnancy and lactation, and briefly review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and diagnosis of GERD in this population.

Are proton pump inhibitors safe during pregnancy and lactation? Evidence to date

Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD) are estimated to occur in 30-50% of pregnancies, with the incidence approaching 80% in some populations. As with many other conditions in pregnancy, medical therapy with pharmaceutical agents is a concern, as the potential teratogenicity of medications is not well known. Although prevalence numbers are high, many patients have mild and infrequent symptoms, which often respond to lifestyle and dietary modifications. The exact mechanism and pathogenesis of GERD associated with pregnancy is likely multifactorial. Treatment strategies for patients not responding to conservative therapies include a step-up approach initially starting with antacids and alginates, and progressing to histamine H(2) receptor antagonists followed by proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy if indicated by symptoms. Although PPI therapy is the most effective treatment available for GERD, the data related to the safety for use during pregnancy and postpartum breastfeeding are mostly obtained from cohort analysis. Given the significant adverse impact of GERD on quality of life and functionality, the use of this class of medications should not be overly restricted based solely on the pregnancy. Based on the studies presented, exposure to PPI therapy during pregnancy seems to predispose the fetus to minimal risk and, overall, these medications should be discussed with the primary physician if symptomatically necessary in the pregnant patient. This evidence-based review will address the management and safety of PPI therapy during pregnancy and lactation, and briefly review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and diagnosis of GERD in this population.

When the Heart Stops

Cardiac arrest is a rare occurrence in pregnancy and may be related to obstetric or medical causes. Pregnancy is associated with profound physiologic changes that prepare the gravida for the challenges of labor and delivery, and resuscitation of the pregnant patient needs to take these changes into consideration. Cardiac output and plasma volume increase in pregnancy and distribute differently with the uterine circulation receiving approximately 17% of the total cardiac output. On the other hand, cardiac output is sensitive to positional changes in the second half of pregnancy but may improve with a lateral tilt of the gravida. Both oxygen reserve and upper airway size decrease in pregnancy, leading to difficulties surrounding airway management. Changes in the volume of distribution, renal and hepatic clearance may impact drug effects and need to be recognized. This review will discuss an overview of pregnancy physiology that is relevant to cardiac resuscitation, detail the challenges in the various resuscitative steps including a synopsis on perimortem delivery, and describe obstetric and nonobstetric causes of mortality and cardiac arrest in pregnancy.

Risks versus benefits of gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy

Although gastrointestinal endoscopy is generally safe, its safety must be separately analyzed during pregnancy with regard to fetal safety. Fetal risks from endoscopic medications are minimized by avoiding FDA category D drugs, minimizing endoscopic medications, and anesthesiologist attendance at endoscopy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy seems to be relatively safe for the fetus and may be performed when strongly indicated during pregnancy. Despite limited clinical data, endoscopic banding of esophageal varices and endoscopic hemostasis of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding seems justifiable during pregnancy. Flexible sigmoidoscopy during pregnancy also appears to be relatively safe for the fetus and may be performed when strongly indicated. Colonoscopy may be considered in pregnant patients during the second trimester if there is a strong indication. Data on colonoscopy during the other trimesters are limited. Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography seems to be relatively safe during pregnancy and should be performed for strong indications (for example, complicated choledocholithiasis). Endoscopic safety precautions during pregnancy include the performance of endoscopy in hospital by an expert endoscopist and only when strongly indicated, deferral of endoscopy to the second trimester whenever possible, and obstetric consultation.

Thoracic paravertebral block for breast surgery in a pregnant woman -A case report-

Non-obstetrical surgery during the first trimester is stressful to both the mother and the fetus. Anesthesiologists are also stressed, not only because of the effects of surgery itself, but also because of the uncertain influences of anesthesia thrown upon on the fetus. The authors present a case of breast surgery successfully performed on a woman 8 weeks pregnant requiring removal of breast abscess by the application of thoracic paravertebral block without any complications. Thoracic paravertebral block may be a safe anesthetic method for non-obstetric surgery during early pregnancy.

The impact of advances in instrumentation and techniques of colonoscopy from 1988 to 2008 on inpatient colonoscopy performance at a high volume endoscopy unit in the United States: significantly shorter procedure time, higher completion rate, performance on sicker inpatients, and near disappearance of flexible sigmoidoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Colonoscopy instrumentation and technique have improved from 1988 to 2008. We analyze whether these improvements have resulted in improved colonoscopy performance.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 50 consecutive inpatients in 1988 vs. 1998 vs. 2008 undergoing intended colonoscopy at a teaching hospital. Patient APACHE score, cecal and terminal ileal intubation rates, procedure time, and colonoscopic diagnoses were compared for the three different years.

RESULTS

Changes in practice of inpatient colonoscopy in 2008 from 1988 include (1) remarkably sicker inpatients undergoing colonoscopy in 2008, as indicated by: significantly higher mean APACHE II score (11.0 ± 6.6 vs. 5.9 ± 4.1, P < 0.00001), significantly more frequent monitored bed status (58% vs. 10%, OR = 12.4; 95%-ORCI: 4.31-35.4, P < 0.00001), and significantly higher rates of several chronic diseases (e.g. CHF, 24% vs. 6%, P = 0.02); (2) significantly higher colonoscopy completion rate in 2008 (88% vs. 64%; OR = 4.13, 95%-ORCI: 1.51-11.2, P = 0.009); (3) significantly higher terminal ileum intubation rate in 2008 (44% vs. 14%, OR = 4.83, 95%-ORCI: 1.85-12.5, P = 0.002); and (4) significantly shorter mean procedure time in 2008 (26.3 ± 7.9 min vs. 48.0 ± 20.3 min, P < 0.00001). The ratio of intended colonoscopy/flexible sigmoidoscopy was significantly higher in 2008 vs. 1988 (OR = 7.50, 95%-ORCI: 2.56-21.8, P < 0.00001). Internal hemorrhoids were significantly more frequently diagnosed by colonoscopy in 2008 (44% vs. 12%, OR = 5.76, 95%-ORCI: 2.12-15.5, P = 0.001), attributed to increased rectal retroflexion.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to improved instrumentation and technique, colonoscopy has dramatically changed from 1988 to become a clinically more valuable test in 2008 as manifested by a higher completion rate, greater clinical applicability, and shorter procedure time. Colonoscopy is supplanting flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Sedation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in a pregnant patient

Anesthesiology management of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the twenty-first week of pregnancy of a woman patient is reported. The patient gave birth to a healthy male baby at 40 weeks of gestation.