Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS), classified as uncovered (uSEMS), partially covered (pcSEMS), or fully covered (fcSEMS), offer a more durable means to overcome biliary stenosis compared with fixed-diameter plastic stents (PS), which occlude in 30% and 50% of patients within 3…
Introduction Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) requires several years of dedicated training and continuous refinement of knowledge and skill. Selective ductal cannulation is the sine qua non for diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. General issues on cannulation have already been highlighted in…
Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies are among the most common non–operating room procedures requiring anesthesia. This chapter reviews considerations and challenges related to anesthesia for upper GI endoscopy procedures. These include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic ultrasound (a variation on EGD employing a specialized…