Abstract: Objective To investigate and analyze the situation of anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly in Jiangsu Province, so as to improve the quality of anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in this population. Methods The anestheia specification for gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly questionnaire was designed, and was conducted among anesthesiologists working in Jiangsu Province via the WeChat group application between February 13-28,2022. The questionnaire was divided into 19 parts, including personal information, hospital information, routine practice of anesthesia and medical safety for the elderly. Results A total of 520 questionnaires were completed, of which 501 were valid with an effective rate of 96.3%. The questionnaire showed that 69.3% of the respondents were from tertiary hospitals and 60.5% of anesthesiologists were chief physicians or senior. 52.1% of the participants listed an upper age limit for elderly patients and 59.7% conducted preoperative evaluation of anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopy. 64.3% of the participants chose electrocardiograph(ECG) monitoring and 84.0% chose non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. Blood pressure was measured by noninvasive blood pressure cuff and were cuffed on left upper limb (35.5%). The ratio of humidification during oxygen therapy, liquid infusion intravenously, eye protection was 61.5%,55.1% and 23.6%, respectively.The current status such as no treatment for hypotension during endoscopy (18.4%), providing area for recovery from anesthesia (82.4%), professional staffs for recovery (68.5%), regular first-aid training (61.7%), discharge eligible standardization (90.0%), accompanied without medical staffs when returning to the ward (80.4%) were also recorded. There were higher ratios of tertiary hospitals in no upper age limit for the elderly, conducting preoperative evaluation of elderly anesthesia as well as setting post-anesthesia recovery room, professional staffs, and discharge eligible standardization (P<0.05). However, the ratios of tertiary hospitals in humidification during oxygen therapy and intravenous liquid infusion were lower (P<0.01). Interestingly, residents mostly chosed eye protection (P=0.024). Conclusions There are still many problems in the anesthesia management of gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly in Jiangsu Province. It is necessary to improve the standardization and quality management in routine practice of anesthesia, in order to effectively guarantee the safety of anesthesia for the elderly.

Key words: gastrointestinal endoscopy, anesthesia, aged, anesthesia management