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A. Anesthesiology Department of
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital

T. 07-3121101 #7033、7035

F. 07-3217874

E. 2025tsa@gmail.com

Wendy Lai
Wendy Lai
PROFILE

Research Interests
•Sedation anesthesia

Education Background
•Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University

Current Position
•Attending Physician, Department of Anesthesiology, Wanfang Hospital, Taipei

Professional Experience
•Deputy Leader, Taiwan Medical Mission in Somaliland
•Chief Resident, Department of Anesthesiology, Wanfang Hospital
•Resident, Department of Anesthesiology, Wanfang Hospital

Implementation of a Fast Track Anesthesia Program for Ambulatory ERCP

Ambulatory surgical are increasingly undertaking complex procedures once limited to inpatient hospitals, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one such example. We established a fast‑track anesthesia program that integrates a pre‑operative consultation clinic, a day‑surgery workflow, and a non‑intubated sedation regimen built on remimazolam and remifentanil, supported by high‑flow nasal cannula oxygen. A week prior to the procedure, patients are scheduled to anesthesia outpatient department consultation, a standardized algorithm stratifies ASA III–IV patients and triggers targeted cardiopulmonary work‑ups as well as pre‑habilitation measures such as smoking cessation and glycemic optimization. On procedure day, sedation is induced with remimazolam and remifentanil combining high‑flow nasal cannula along with advanced airway monitoring to maintain patent airway spontaneous ventilation. Depth of sedation is guided by combining BIS and density spectral array monitoring, facilitating rapid regaining of consciousness within five minutes of drug cessation. This bundled program demonstrates that rigorous pre‑operative assessment combined with remimazolam–remifentanil non‑intubated sedation can safely deliver ERCP in the ambulatory setting, yielding rapid recovery, high satisfaction, and minimal complications. The model highlights how anesthesiologists can leverage novel pharmacology, high‑flow oxygen therapy, and streamlined peri‑operative pathways to broaden the scope of ambulatory surgical services.