CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2023; 11(12): E1168-E1174
DOI: 10.1055/a-2202-8050
Original article

Utility of gastroscopy in the left lateral semi-recumbent position: A blood-free coup!

1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Sidharth Harindranath
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Abu Aasim Ansari
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Shubham Gupta
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Chetan Saner
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Shashank Pujalwar
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Arun Vaidya
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Ankita Singh
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Mohit Aggarwal
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
,
Akash Shukla
1   Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India (Ringgold ID: RIN29549)
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background and study aims The utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in the left lateral semi-recumbent position in the setting of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) with a persistent fundal pool of blood for adequate visualization and effective endotherapy has not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of this position in such settings.

Patients and methods A prospective study of patients presenting with acute UGIB with an uncleared fundal pool of blood was conducted. All underwent EGD in the left lateral decubitus and secondary left lateral semi-recumbent positions. Outcomes in secondary position in terms of adequate visualization of the fundus, identification of new or additional sources of bleeding, and effectiveness of endotherapy were studied.

Results We screened 860 patients and included 44 patients (5.11%) with a persistent fundal pool of blood. Endoscopy in the primary position revealed the source of bleeding in 37 of 44 patients (84%). The source of the bleeding was not identified in seven of 44 patients (16%). Endoscopy in the secondary position showed clearance of fundal pool in all 44 patients (100%). A new source of bleeding was identified in all seven patients (100%) and an additional source could be identified in another five patients (13.6%). Endotherapy was performed in the secondary position for all 44 patients with 100% technical success and 94% clinical success.

Conclusions These data show that endotherapy in the left lateral semi-recumbent position is feasible, safe, and effective. It should be done when endoscopy in the left lateral decubitus position reveals a pool of blood in the fundus and there is inadequate visualization of the fundus.



Publication History

Received: 23 August 2023

Accepted after revision: 27 October 2023

Article published online:
12 December 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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