Abstract

The demand for intravenous sedated upper gastrointestianl endoscopy is currently increasing steeply. Despite this trend, patient status complication due to this procedure is largerly neglected by most physicians. Recently, in three patients, mouthpiece fragment were left within the patients' body after intravenous sedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. They were transferred to our institution for the removal of the fragment. The patients complained of an uneasy sensation from within their body, around their necks and chests. After conducting therapeutic endoscopy, the fragment could be located around the distal part of their esophagus and within their stomach. The fragment were removed successfully by using snare in two patients, and by using forceps in another patient. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2003; 26:31⁣34)

• Keywords: Intravenous sedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, Mouthpiece fragment