[Complications of endoscopic examinations of the upper segments of the gastrointestinal tract]

Abstract

A ten-year experience with 106610 diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopies provided evidence of a 0.03% rate of relevant complications and 2.38% mortality. Out of 39 patients with endoscopy-related complications 5 were operated on: 4 had esophageal perforations, 1 had hemorrhage following biopsy of the ulcer. Out of 7384 therapeutic and operative endoscopies none were associated with lethal outcome. Surgery was avoided either. Complications developed in 45 patients (0.036%): in 44 patients hemorrhages occurred after electroexcision of the polyps.