ABSTRACT
Endoscopy is the process of looking inside the body by inserting a rigid or flexible tube and examining an image of the interior of an organ or cavity. An additional instrument may be inserted to biopsy an organ or to retrieve foreign objects. Although most endoscopic procedures are considered to be minimally invasive, most animals will require general anesthesia. Some of the potential complications of the endoscopic procedure may be related to general anesthesia, and some endoscopic procedures may benefit from special anesthetic considerations. A thorough understanding of the physiologic changes produced by the various endoscopic procedures is necessary to properly support the anesthetized patient. Some endoscopic procedures will require the use of insufflation gas to improve visualization, which has a physiologic impact on the patient. Patient positioning may also affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Minimally invasive procedures under general anesthesia need the same monitoring care as any other anesthetized patient.
