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Endoscopy

Nitrous oxide sedation for colonoscopy—no laughing matter

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 7, pages 539–541 (2010)Cite this article

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Moderate sedation is typically used during lower gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. Deep sedation with propofol is becoming widespread but carries the risk of cardiorespiratory depression. Nitrous oxide is an inhaled sedative administered routinely in dentistry that might prove to be a safe option for sedation during lower gastrointestinal endoscopy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, 55905, MN, USA

    Archana S. Rao & Todd H. Baron

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  1. Archana S. Rao
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  2. Todd H. Baron
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Correspondence to Todd H. Baron.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Rao, A., Baron, T. Nitrous oxide sedation for colonoscopy—no laughing matter. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 7, 539–541 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2010.148

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