Great! Last thought on this subject: So if one is under the anesthetic "midazolam" would a person have the ABILITY to cough?
The policy is different in different centers.
In certain centers, it is not done under any anesthetic medication.
In certain other centers, conscious sedation is used. Most of the centers use midazolam.
Thanks for your reply 5/7/09 to the question re: what would happen if one should cough during an endoscopy posted 5/6/09. As an extension to the question: If one is under anesthesia (in a twilight sleep, that one can't remember what's completely going on), it was thought by a friend, that one would not have the ABILITY to cough if deeply under the anesthesia. Would they have the ABILITY to cough, if all muscles are completely relaxed?
Hi,
During endoscopy, the endoscopist inflates the stomach with air so that he can see the inside of the stomach.
If the patient coughs or strains, the stomach gets deflated and the endoscopist cant see every part of the stomach and he has to inflate again.
If there is some fluid or food residue in the stomach it may regurgitate and may get aspirated. But since endoscopy is done with the patient on empty stomach, the chances are very remote.