Endoscopic resection (ER) is an invasive treatment. You will need to receive anesthesia during the procedure. You will also need to undergo some tests before the procedure because of the risks that may occur during the procedure.
For example, in the case of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), there are 3 things you need to do before treatment.
I. Sign the informed consent form
Before the procedure, your doctor will explain the procedure, possible outcomes, and risks of ESD to you and your family, and ask you to sign an informed consent form. The informed consent form should clearly state the possible complications and consequences of ESD; your doctor will also inform you before surgery of the possible risk of recurrence or metastasis after endoscopic resection and the possibility of additional treatment such as additional surgery. If you have any questions or confusion, please communicate clearly with your doctor during the preoperative conversation to allay your concerns and put your mind at ease.
II. Pre-operative preparation
You will need to have coagulation tests, including platelet count and prothrombin time, before surgery. If there are abnormalities in the markers, there may be an increased risk of bleeding after the ESD procedure. If you are or have been taking anticoagulants, you need to be proactive and tell your primary care physician, who will determine if a cardiologist needs to evaluate the risk of the primary condition and discontinue the medication if appropriate.
III.Preparation for anesthesia and monitoring
ESD surgery is time-consuming and difficult for you to tolerate while awake. Especially during upper gastrointestinal surgery, secretions and bloody fluids and stains in the gastric cavity can easily cause choking, aspiration, and asphyxiation, so it is safer to perform it under general anesthesia and tracheal intubation. Before the operation, the doctor will make a thorough assessment of your condition and general condition in order to decide the type of anesthesia to be used. The main thing you need to do is to cooperate with the anesthesiologist, make a good pre-anesthesia assessment, participate carefully in the pre-anesthesia conversation, and actively communicate with and ask the anesthesiologist any questions you may have.