More on Aspiration Pneumonia with Propofol in Colonoscopy

At least one population-based study has demonstrated an increased risk for hospitalization for aspiration pneumonia within 30 days of colonoscopy performed with anesthesia assistance (widely considered a surrogate for the use of propofol).

Now researchers have conducted a population-based study of complication risks among nearly four million adults undergoing outpatient colonoscopy in Ontario between 2005 and 2012, of whom 28% (approximately 850,000) received anesthesia assistance.

Within 14 days of colonoscopy, there were roughly 1400 colonoscopy-related bowel perforations, 150 hospital admissions for splenic injury, and 200 hospital admissions for aspiration pneumonia among all patients. In adjusted analysis, anesthesia assistance was assoc…