Endoscopy procedure

The exact procedure used depends on the type of endoscopy and choice of anaesthesia. You may have sedation or a general anaesthetic.

The endoscope is inserted through a natural opening. The doctor may simply make a diagnosis. They may also take a sample of tissue (biopsy) for later analysis in a laboratory.

Alternatively, your doctor could perform minor surgery at the same time. For example, they may place a stent across an obstructing tumour or remove a stone from a bile duct. Once the endoscopy is complete, the endoscope is removed. 

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to observe the inside of the body without performing major surgery. An endoscope (fibrescope) is a long flexible tube with a lens at one end and a video camera at the other.

The end with the lens is inserted into the patient. Light passes down the tube (via bundles of optical fibres) to illuminate the relevant area, and the video camera magnifies the area and projects it onto a television screen so the doctor can see what is there. Usually, an endoscope is inserted through one of the body’s natural openings, such as the mouth, urethra, or anus.

Anesthesia Services for Routine Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Use of Anesthesia Services for Routine Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - BCBS of Alabama

Policy:

The use of anesthesia services to provide sedation and analgesia for patients for routine gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures does not meet Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s medical criteria for coverage except for the following:

• Patients with potential for difficult intubation and/or ventilation with a mask, or at risk for airway obstruction, including but not limited to:

o Patients with previous problems with anesthesia or sedation;

o Patients with a history of stridor or tracheal stenosis

o Patients with a diagnosis of clinically significant sleep apnea;

o Morbidly obese patients;