Devon Michael, Mark Dunning

Willows Veterinary Centre, Solihul, United Kingdom

Objectives

The primary objective of the study was to characterise and quantify the types of complications encountered during gastrointestinal endoscopy.

The secondary objective was to determine which gastrointestinal conditions are most often associated with major complications.

Methods

A multicentre retrospective case series. Patients were included if upper (UGI) or lower gastrointestinal (LGI) endoscopy was performed with or without biopsies. Anonymised medical records were reviewed and complications and adverse events retrieved from practice management systems of participating centres. These included those recorded in the hospital, during endoscopy or after discharge. Information collected included signalment, physical examination, changes to minimum database, diagnostic imaging performed, area endoscoped, reason for endoscopy, diagnosis, complications recorded, type of sampling, experience, if stomach was decompressed after endoscopy.

Complication rates were expressed as number of cases encountered within the sample population.

Results

A total of 1203 endoscopies were performed. Twenty-six canine and four feline cases had adverse events or complications recorded. These included cardiorespiratory arrest, perforation of the intestinal tract, new onset diarrhoea and vomiting, regurgitation and euthanasia. Of those recorded complications, eight (0.7%) were encountered during the endoscopy.

Statement: Impact/ Clinical Significance

These data provide an up-to-date incidence of the types of complications encountered during UGI and LGI endoscopy in dogs and cats. They provide an evidence-based dataset with which clients and clinicians can use to make informed decisions on the risks of undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.