Introduction:

Colonoscopy is a very precise procedure for diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon. It allows visualization of the mucosa of the entire colon and the terminal ileum if the examination is adequate. Classically, anxiolysis or conscious sedation has been used through the administration of benzodiazepines, or benzodiazepines plus opiates. However, the use of propofol as a sedative in digestive endoscopy has been gradually spreading in recent years.

Objective:

This study evaluates the evolution of sedation procedures with propofol administered by non-anesthesiologists for total colonoscopies.

Material and Method:

Patients who underwent total colonoscopy who were sedated with propofol administered by appropriately trainedg non-anesthesiologists were evaluated. Hemodynamic and respiratory behavior were measured. Patients were excluded if they were over II on the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System.

Results:

Three hundred ninety patients were evaluated, 269 (69%) were women, and 121 (31%) were men. Their average age was 53.1 years. The average dose of propofol used was 2.3 mg/kg. Bradycardia developed in 4.9% of the patients according to the definition used. The average dose of propofol in patients with bradycardia was 1.76 mg/kg.

Conclusion:

The use of propofol by non-anesthesiologists can be considered safe as long as the protocols established for this purpose are followed.

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