Abstract
Optimal management of pediatric endoscopy requires a multidisciplinary approach. In most hospitals, endoscopy in pediatric patients is performed by conventional gastroenterologists and only a few centers have specialized pediatric gastroenterologists. This is due to the fact that the number of pediatric gastroenterologists is limited and not all of them are experienced in endoscopic techniques. However, there are also some pediatric centers offering a high-quality and high-volume endoscopy service provided by very experienced pediatric gastroenterologists. Up to now, the literature on pediatric endoscopy is rather sparse. In this article, we describe current knowledge and practice of endoscopic procedures in pediatric patients, which should be relevant for both the adult and pediatric gastroenterologists.
Highlights
Who Should Perform the Procedure?PE should be performed by endoscopists, especially trained in pediatric diseases and in pediatric endoscopy
It would be advisable that a pediatrician performs a diagnostic colonoscopy but hands over to a gastroenterologist to perform a polypectomy if required, because this task is very uncommon in children but daily practice in adults [3]
Many therapeutic procedures are age related; e.g., removing of hyperplastic polyps or juvenile polyps are very rare in children [35,36], the same is true for esophageal polyps [37]
Summary
PE should be performed by endoscopists, especially trained in pediatric diseases and in pediatric endoscopy. Pediatric doctors nearly never gain the experience based on case numbers and numbers of procedures in children that gastroenterologists can reach in adults. It would be advisable that a pediatrician performs a diagnostic colonoscopy but hands over to a gastroenterologist to perform a polypectomy if required, because this task is very uncommon in children but daily practice in adults [3]. Another example might be the performance of an ERCP or hemostasis techniques in variceal bleeds
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