A comparison of sedation protocols for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: moderate sedation with analgesic supplementation vs analgesia targeted light sedation

Moderate to deep sedation has been recommended during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, it is often accompanied by adverse events such as respiratory depression or aspiration pneumonia. This study investigated the respiratory complications and ESD outcomes of two sedation protocols: moderate sedation with analgesic supplementation (MSAS) and analgesia targeted light sedation (ATLS). The clinical data of 293 patients who underwent ESD between May and December 2012 were reviewed. During the first 4 months, 155 patients were managed by moderate sedation [Modified Observer Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) at 2–3] with the MSAS protocol. During the latter period, 138 patients were managed using the ATLS protocol (MOAA/S at 4–5). For both protocols, propofol and remifentanil were infused for sedation and pain control, respectively. The ATLS protocol required less propofol [22.9 (sd 17.3) vs 88.1 (44.0) µg kg−1 min−1, P