Hot Topics in Airway Management During Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Recently, endoscopic minimal invasive procedures have become commonly practiced. Sedation, and consequently airways management, is a way to respond to the increasing complexity and duration of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Main issues regarding the sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy are: patient’s safety, comfort and tolerance to the procedure. This results simultaneously in a good examination quality. The best method to assure airways safety is still debated; it should always be tailored to the patient, to his comorbidity and to the particular procedure to be done, and has to be accepted by the whole medical team. This article provides an update on the available devices and methods of airway management during gastrointestinal endoscopy.