Gastrointestinal endoscopy is gaining popularity for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, concerns over endoscope-related nosocomial infections are increasing, together with interest by the general public in safe and efficient endoscopy. For this reason, reprocessing the gastrointestinal endoscope is an important step for effective performance of endoscopy. Disinfectants are essential to the endoscope reprocessing procedure. Before selecting an appropriate disinfectant, their characteristics, limitations and means of use must be fully understood. Herein, we review the characteristics of several currently available disinfectants, including their uses, potency, advantages, and disadvantages. Most disinfectants can be used to reprocess gastrointestinal endoscopes if the manufacturer's guidelines are followed. The selection and use of a suitable disinfectant depends on the individual circumstances of each endoscopy suite.
Cross Infection ; Disinfectants ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal

The Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE) issued guidelines for endoscope reprocessing for the first time in 1995, and the version of the guidelines was updated in August 2009, August 2012, and March 2015. Guidelines for endoscope reprocessing should be revised continuously, because new disinfectants and devices are developed and introduced. The current official version of the KSGE guidelines for endoscope reprocessing is explained herein to assist the reader in understanding the KSGE requirements for cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes.
Disinfectants ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Safety of endoscopic procedures has been a major issue over the last 10 years. Most endoscopy units use 2% glutaraldehyde and automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) for disinfecting gastrointestinal endoscopes. We attempted an in-use evaluation of the current reprocessing procedures. METHODS: Thirty flexible endoscopes were randomly collected just after upper endoscopic examinations and were disinfected using 2% glutaraldehyde in an AER. Cultures were taken from biopsy channels (S-1), tip of the insertion tubes (S-2), umbilical cords (S-3), and angulation knobs (S-4). RESULTS: In 63.3% (19/30) of endoscopes, there was no microbial contamination after disinfection procedures. The culture positive rates of S-1, S-2, S-3, and S-4 samples were 20.0%, 0.0%, 3.3%, and 20.0%, respectively. Microorganisms of 13 species were identified, but there was no pathogen related with reported infectious complications after endoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Current disinfection procedure using 2% glutaraldehyde and an AER appears to be very effective in decontaminating patient-used endoscopes. Low level microbial contamination of endoscopes after conventional reprocessing methods may not impose great risk on patients.
Biopsy ; Disinfection* ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Endoscopy ; Glutaral* ; Humans ; Umbilical Cord

Gastrointestinal disease can be diagnosed by observing the lesion through endoscopic examination. The location, size, and shape of the lesion can be determined by direct observation, and the final endoscopic diagnosis is made based on the knowledge and experience of the examiner. However, such diagnosis based on direct observation and examiner's judgment can be inaccurate, suggesting the need to perform biopsy. Since most gastrointestinal disease involve lesion forming from the mucosa level, biopsy is more useful if done by endoscopy. Biopsy is especially crucial in diagnosing a case vague to determine with naked eyes, distinguishing the lesion as benign or malignant, determining the boundary of the lesion, and assessing the effectiveness of the treatment. Enough tissue should be collected in order to make an accurate diagnosis. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, one should collect the tissue as much as possible. Shifting the lesion towards the bottom of the endoscope field, changing the posture of the patient to make the lesion perpendicular, improves the accuracy of the biopsy. Cutting edge equipments such as transparent cap, side-view endoscopy, two channel endoscopy, and double bend endoscopy also enable precise biopsy. In addition, it is crucial to provide the pathologist with enough information. Using the clinical information of the patient, diagnosis made by endoscopy and that made by biopsy should be attempted to be in agreement. Biopsy is an invasive diagnosing method, so it should always be done carefully to minimize any complication.
Biopsy ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Eye ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Judgment ; Mucous Membrane ; Posture

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is effective and safe for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. However, issues regarding endoscope-transmitted infections are emerging. Many countries have established and continuously revise guidelines for endoscope reprocessing in order to prevent infections. While there are common processes used in endoscope reprocessing, differences exist among these guidelines. It is important that the reprocessing of gastrointestinal endoscopes be carried out in accordance with the recommendations for each step of the process.
Diagnosis ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Mass Screening

With the increasing interest in endoscopy and the rising number of endoscopic examinations in hospitals, the importance of endoscopic reprocessing is also increasing. Cure facilities that are understaffed and ill-equipped are trying to cope with the problems of insufficient cleaning and high infection risks. To prevent endoscopy-associated infection, the endoscope cleaning, and disinfection guidelines prepared by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy must be followed. In this review, the steps of endoscopic reprocessing and the equipments required in each step are discussed.
Disinfection ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Phosphatidylethanolamines

PURPOSE: There have been a few data about esophageal length in children and previous data are improper for application to various procedures. Because of the variability in height and weight of each the individuals especially in children, measurable external parameters are needed. METHODS: We measured distance from upper incisor to esophago-gastric junction using a flexible endoscope and compared these data with age, height and weight in 262 children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.0+/-3.6 year (from 2 days to 16 year of age), mean height was 132.89+/-23.49 cm and mean length from upper incisor to esophago-gastric junction was 33.34+/-5.42 cm. Correlation between distance from upper incisor to esophago-gastric junction and height was the mostly predictable indicator of the esophageal length (Pearson correlation=0.944). We propose a formula [Esophageal length=4.419+(0.218 x height)] as a indicator of the esophageal length (p=0.000, R2=0.891). CONCLUSION: The esophageal length in children and for application to various procedures can be reliably predicted by using the height.
Child* ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy* ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Incisor

Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the most basic of endoscopy procedures and is the technique that trainee doctors first learn. Mastering the basics of endoscopy is very important because when this process is imprecise or performed incorrectly, it can severely affect a patient's health or life. Although there are several guidelines and studies that consider these basics, there are still no standard recommendations for endoscopy in Korea. In this review, basic points, including proper endoscope insertion, precise observation without blind spots, and appropriate photographing, for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy will be discussed.
Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal* ; Korea ; Optic Disk

486 case-record files of malaria patients admitted to Tropical Disease hospital, of mahidol University, Bangkok,Thai land from November 1st, 1999 to December 31st 1999. P.falciparum and P.vivax are most popular parasitic species. The personal history of malaria also affect to disease. The incidences of nausea, vomitting, abdominal pain and hepatomegaly in falciparum malaria were higher than those in vivax malaria patients in restrospective. It was noted that, Gl symptoms were th most common findings in severe and complicated malaria
Malaria ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Malaria, Falciparum ; diagnosis ;

Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE) issued its guidelines for endoscope reprocessing for the first time in 1995, and the version of the guidelines has been updated in August 2009, August 2012 and March 2015, respectively. Guidelines for endoscope reprocessing should be revised continuously because new disinfectants and devices are introduced. The current official version of the KSGE guidelines for endoscope reprocessing is explained herein to assist the reader in understanding of KSGE requirements for cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes.
Disinfectants ; Disinfection ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal*