Complications of GI endoscopy

Complications of gastrointestinal endoscopy are rare, but inevitable. Innovations in endoscopic instrumentation have led to greater variety and complexity of endoscopic procedures and therapeutics and resultant complications. Understanding incidence of complications of endoscopic procedures enhances the informed consent process, prepares the patient, and enables the endoscopist to recognize serious adverse events and treat them promptly when they occur. The most common complications, perforation and bleeding, can be either procedural, acute, or delayed with most occurring within 10-14 days. Complications of GI endoscopy can include adverse reactions to bowel preparation, intravenous sedation, anesthesia, missed lesions, and failure to communicate procedure results. Serious complications can occur in all patients but are more frequent in the elderly, those with renal impairment, or congestive heart failure.