ABSTRACT
The use of colonoscopy in recent years for colorectal cancer screening has led to an increase in the number of procedures performed. Primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and colorectal surgeons perform the majority of these procedures. In the United States, it is the standard of care to perform colonoscopy with some form of sedation and/or analgesia. However, there are various approaches to delivering appropriate sedation and analgesia. The use of monitoring during colonoscopy is also felt to be a vital aspect of the procedure. We reviewed the current literature regarding sedation, analgesia, and monitoring during colonoscopy. We believe that colonoscopy should be performed with adequate sedation in a monitored setting. The use of a narcotic in conjunction with a benzodiazepine or propofol seems to provide the highest level of patient satisfaction and safety.
KEYWORD
Sedation - analgesia - monitoring
