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PubMed2002

[Virtual colonoscopy--chances for a screening procedure?].

In principle, virtual colonoscopy is capable to be used as method for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC), even if the accuracy of the method and radiation exposure are matters discussion in the radiological community. Virtual colonoscopy is able to detect any pathology which is relevant for early detection of CRC especially when using multislice CT, but also with single slice CT. The diagnosis of small lesions, less than 7 mm in diameter (polyps and flat lesions) is still problematic as it is in conventional colonoscopy. The exposure to x-rays in asymptomatic patients, without any increased risk of developing cancer is highly problematic and should be reduced to a minimum. Using special post processing filters on the volume dataset it can be shown that a tube current of 20 mAs is sufficient without any loss in accuracy. Measurements on the Alderson-phantom showed, that an effective dose exposure of 1.2 mSv is obtained using these reduced mAs values. It has to be differentiated between virtual colonoscopy for early detection of polyps and CRC in individual patients or as a screening examination of a large population. Virtual colonoscopy as a screening examination necessitates reduction of radiation dose, a high degree of automatization in 3D reconstructions as well as the assessment of the entire mucosa. High risk patients, whom refuse fibreoptic colonoscopy should undergo virtual colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy has a good chance to become an accepted tool for general screening, if efficient dose reduction, complete visualization of the colon mucosa and automatization of the post processing procedures can be achieved.

Colonic Polyps↗

PubMed2003

Understanding intention to undergo colonoscopy among intermediate-risk siblings of colorectal cancer patients: a test of a mediational model.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for research to identify factors influencing intentions to undergo colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among family members at risk for CRC. This study tested a mediational model primarily guided by Ronis' elaboration of the Health Belief Model in predicting intention to have colorectal cancer screening among siblings of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer prior to age 56 years. METHODS: Data were collected from 534 siblings of individuals diagnosed with CRC. A baseline survey was administered by telephone. Measures included perceived susceptibility, CRC severity, physician and family support for CRC screening, cancer-specific distress, the closeness of the relationship with the affected sibling, and future intention to have a colonoscopy. Participant age, gender, and number of prior colonoscopies, as well as the stage of the affected patient's cancer and time from the patient's diagnosis to the interview, were controlled for in the analyses. RESULTS: The proposed model was not a good fit to the data. A respecified model was fit to the data. In this model, physician support, family support, and sibling closeness were significantly associated with both perceived benefits and barriers. Perceived severity was associated with barriers. Benefits and barriers, as well as cancer-specific distress, were directly associated with colonoscopy intentions. Results were consistent with a mediational role for benefits and barriers in the associations of sibling closeness and with a mediational role for barriers in the association between perceived severity and colonoscopy intentions. Family and physician support impacted intentions both directly and indirectly through effects on benefits and barriers. Perceived risk was not associated with benefits, barriers, or colonoscopy intentions. CONCLUSION: Intervention efforts to increase colonoscopy intentions may benefit from targeting family influences, particularly the affected proband in the family, as well as physician influence, cancer-related distress, perceived CRC severity, and perceived benefits and barriers to colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed1994

Colonoscopy--how difficult, how painful?

Colonoscopy is sometimes painful for the patient and often difficult for the endoscopist, but it is hard to predict how difficult or painful the examination will be. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence difficulty and pain during colonoscopy. Some 1,284 consecutive patients undergoing office colonoscopy by three endoscopists were prospectively studied. A standard questionnaire was completed by the nursing staff, who assessed the degree of difficulty and pain associated with each exam on a four-point scale. There were 682 men and 551 women (sex not recorded in 51). There was no pain in 27%, mild pain in 39%, moderate pain in 25%, and severe pain in 9%. There was no difficulty in 25%, mild difficulty in 33%, moderate difficulty in 28%, and severe difficulty in 14%. Colonoscopy was significantly easier (P < 0.001, chi square) and less painful (P < 0.001, chi square) in patients after sigmoidectomy. It was more painful after hysterectomy (P < 0.05, chi square) and more difficult and painful in women than in men (P < 0.01, chi square). There were significant differences between endoscopists in the assessment of pain associated with colonoscopy. Most colonoscopies are associated with little or no pain (66%) and are easy or only mildly difficult to perform (58%). Patients who have had sigmoid resection are especially easy and painless to examine while women, especially after hysterectomy, are at higher risk of having a painful experience. Colonoscopy technique can influence the amount of pain experienced by the patient.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed2001

Colonoscopy in the patient requiring anticoagulation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess perioperative warfarin management and complications in patients requiring colonoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 109 cases of colonoscopies performed on 94 patients requiring anticoagulation with warfarin. Patients stopped their warfarin three days before colonoscopy. Coagulation profiles obtained just before the colonoscopy showed a median prothrombin time of 13.4 seconds with a range of 11.1 to 29.1 (normal range, 10.9-13) and a median international normalized ratio of 1.2 with a range of 0.9 to 2.6. Patients restarted warfarin the day after the examination. RESULTS: During the 109 colonoscopies, 47 percent of the patients underwent either hot biopsy or snare polypectomy. One examination that included several biopsies was associated with a hemorrhagic complication (0.92 percent) requiring hospitalization and transfusion. Subset analysis of the therapeutic (biopsy and snare polypectomy) group indicated a slightly higher complication rate (1.96 percent) with a median international normalized ratio of 1.3 (range, 1-2.3) and a median prothrombin time of 13.7 (range, 11.6-25.9). CONCLUSION: Patients taking warfarin for anticoagulation may safely undergo colonoscopy. The risk of hemorrhagic complications increases slightly with hot biopsy or snare procedures. Further studies are needed to refine guidelines for colonoscopy in the patient requiring anticoagulation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1999

Colorectal cancer after surveillance colonoscopy: false-negative examination or fast growth?

PURPOSE: Colonoscopy is the preferred method for colorectal cancer surveillance of high-risk patients. Despite its high sensitivity, polyps or cancers may be undetected by colonoscopy and later attributed to an accelerated adenoma-carcinoma sequence. This study assesses how the characteristics of colorectal cancers found at intervals between surveillance relate to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and its prevention. METHODS: The records of 557 patients with colorectal cancer that were diagnosed from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1996, were reviewed to identify those patients who had prior colonoscopic surveillance within 60 months of their diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 29 (5.2 percent) patients who had one or more colonoscopies before diagnosis of their colorectal cancer. Mean interval between diagnosis and prior colonoscopy was 23 (range, 4-59) months. The distribution of cancers included nine cecum, two ascending, three hepatic flexure, five transverse, one splenic flexure, three descending, two sigmoid, three rectum, and one anal canal. The mean tumor size was 4.4 cm for the cecum and 2.4 cm for all other locations. There were 7 Tis, 6 T1, 4 T2, and 12 T3 lesions. Six patients with T3 lesions had prior colonoscopies within 24 months of the diagnosis. Three of four patients with lymphatic metastases had tumors in the cecum. Twenty tumors (69 percent) were well or moderately differentiated. Mean follow-up was 41 (range, 7-95) months with two local recurrences and two unrelated deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Size, differentiation, and stage of colorectal cancer in addition to the interval to diagnosis suggest that the majority of cancers found during surveillance colonoscopy followed prior false-negative examinations. Because cecal landmarks are most constant, prior photographic documentation may help to prove or disprove fast growth of cancers found in the cecum during surveillance colonoscopy.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Colonoscopy in octogenarians: a review of 428 cases.

Studies on the use of colonoscopy in the octogenarian are few. Therefore this study evaluated the results and cost-effectiveness of colonoscopy in octogenarians. A total of 403 patients 80 years of age or older who underwent colonoscopy from May 1994 to May 1996 were reviewed (median 84, range 80-95). Parameters evaluated were indications for colonoscopy, significant endoscopic findings (biopsy-confirmed adenocarcinoma and adenomatous polyps >/=1 cm), complications, colonoscopy completion rate, and mean charge per procedure. Postpolypectomy bleeding occurred in one patient. The cecal intubation rate was 94%. The calculated cost per procedure was U.S. $2,342. Indications for colonoscopy/number of cancers detected include: change in bowel habits, 78/2; blood/hemoccult positive, 69/8; abdominal pain, 12/0; constipation, 9/0; diarrhea, 8/0; surveillance for history of polyps, 159/3; surveillance for history of cancer, 51/1; cancer or polyp on sigmoidoscopy, 42/4. The cancer detection rate in patients with bleeding was 11.5%, compared with 1. 9% for all other symptoms. Colonoscopy can be safely performed in the octogenarian population. Our data suggest that more stringent selection criteria for colonoscopy in the octogenarian could result in significant cost savings.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Colonoscopy: why are general surgeons being excluded?

BACKGROUND: The role of surgeons as endoscopists has been extensively debated in the literature, with conflicting studies published regarding the safety and efficacy of surgeons performing colonoscopies. A multitude of medical federations and societies have set various standards for granting endoscopy privileges, many with a bias against general surgeons [1, 3]. We reviewed the colonoscopy experience at our institution to evaluate differences between gastroenterologists (GI) and general (GS) and colorectal surgeons (CRS) in procedure times and complication and cecal intubation rates. METHODS: Between January 2000 and July 2002, 5237 colonoscopies were performed at our institution. The data for procedure times, completion, and complication rates were collected in a prospective database. Complications were defined as perforation, bleeding, and postpolypectomy syndrome. Incomplete colonoscopies due to colitis, poor bowel preparation, or tumor obstruction were excluded. Chi-squared test was used to compare complication and cecal intubation rates between the three groups. Median procedure times were compared using the Kruskall-Wallis and Dunn's pairwise tests. A significant p-value was defined as <0.05. RESULTS: No differences in the complication rate was noted between the three groups: GI (0.12%), CRS (0.15%), and GS (0.11%) ( p = 0.99). There was a trend toward a lower incomplete colonoscopy rate in the GS group compared to CRS and GI: 0.32% vs 0.84% and 0.36%, respectively ( p = 0.07). The median colonoscopy times for GS (29 min), however, were shorter than for GI (34 min, p < 0.001) or CRS (31 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: General surgeons perform colonoscopies expeditiously, with as low a morbidity rate and as high a completion rate as their gastroenterology or colorectal surgery colleagues. As the results of this study confirm, general surgeons should not be excluded from endoscopy suites.

Cecostomy↗

PubMed2004

The learning curve for a colonoscopy simulator in the absence of any feedback: no feedback, no learning.

BACKGROUND: The hypothesis of this study is that working on the simulator without a structured feedback does not change performance; hence, any effects shown after structured feedback would amount to useful learning of the procedure. The aim was to investigate the learning curve for the HT Immersion Medical Colonoscopy Simulator without any structured feedback. This could then be potentially applied to validate the learning curve on the simulator when structured feedback is provided. There are no previous studies on this matter. METHODS: Candidates were asked to perform colonoscopy on the HT Immersion Medical Colonoscopy Simulator. Modules 3 and 4 were used at random. In total, each candidate was asked to perform five consecutive virtual colonoscopies on the same module. These five episodes were collectively referred to as one trial. A time result of 3,600 sec (1 h) was used to denote perforation. No guidance or feedback was given to candidates before, during, or after each procedure. A total of 26 postgraduate doctors were recruited, including nine research fellows, five preregistration house officers, six specialist registrars, and six consultants. Fourteen candidates recorded five attempts each (i.e., one trial each) on the same module of the colonoscopy simulator (14 trials over 70 episodes). Another 12 candidates recorded five attempts (i.e., one trial each) on two modules of the colonoscopy simulator (24 trials over 120 episodes). Hence, 190 episodes were recorded in total, representing 38 trials. RESULTS: There was no improvement in performance on the simulator from first attempt to the fifth in the absence of feedback. If there was any initial gain in any measurable outcome, this was lost in subsequent attempts indicating lack of learning. The outcomes measured included time taken to complete the test, percentage of the mucosa visualized, depth of the instrument inserted, and the path length used. The results were statistically significant for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that in the absence of feedback, it is not possible to improve performance on the HT Immersion Medical Colonoscopy Simulator. Thus, there is no learning curve for the machine. The information from this study is vital for using the simulators in training and assessment because any improvement in learning curves shown after training on simulators can be presumed to be due to learning the procedure and not the simulator.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1998

How well can surgeons perform colonoscopy?

BACKGROUND: Little recent data exist relative to the efficacy or postprocedural complications of surgeons performing diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the outcome of colonoscopy performed by surgeons. METHODS: The charts of 2,069 patients who underwent colonoscopy between January 1992 and April 1995 by one of four surgeons at one of two centers were reviewed. Parameters included demographics, indications, procedures and findings, pathology, major complications, length of procedures and dosage of medication. RESULTS: 2,069 colonoscopies were performed for the following indications: 877 polyp surveillance, 509 cancer surveillance, 287 rectal bleeding, 282 family history of colon cancer, 127 change in bowel habits, 112 polyps found by flexible sigmoidoscope or barium enema, 92 inflammatory bowel disease, 48 preoperation, and 58 other indications. Some patients had more than one indication. The cecum could not be intubated in 73 cases (3.5%) due to narrowing and stricture [33] redundancy [18], poor preparation [14], and other miscellaneous conditions [8]. The average procedure time in the 1, 023 cases in which it was measured was 34.7 min. Average sedation doses were 2.1 mg of midazolam and 75.2 mg of meperedine in these same cases. The 2,069 colonoscopies included 1,878 biopsies, 353 polypectomies, and 139 other procedures. Some patients had multiple therapeutic interventions. Findings included 2,107 polyps, the pathology of which included 907 tubular; 62 tubulovillous and 41 villous adenomas, 325 hyperplastic polyps, and 68 carcinomas. There were five major complications after polypectomies (0.2%) including two cases of bleeding and three perforations. The two patients with bleeding were admitted to hospital, one for observation for 2 days and the other for colonoscopy, coagulation, and transfusion of 3 units of blood. Of the three patients with perforation, one underwent hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and the other two for surgery (0.01%). Surgery included one resection with primary closure of the sigmoid perforation and one colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the observation that colonoscopy performed by surgeons is safe and rapid whether performed as a therapeutic or as a diagnostic procedure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Randomized, controlled trial of carbon dioxide insufflation during colonoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Insufflation of air is a cause of discomfort during and after colonoscopy. Although this can be minimized by good technique, the use of carbon dioxide insufflation may provide further benefits. Carbon dioxide is rapidly absorbed and excreted through the lungs. We hypothesized that carbon dioxide would alleviate post-colonoscopy discomfort. METHODS: After they had provided informed consent, patients presenting for colonoscopy were randomized into two groups: those in whom air was used for colonoscopy and those in whom carbon dioxide was used. Pain during and ten minutes after colonoscopy was measured on a ten-point analog scale. Data are mean and 95 percent confidence limits. RESULTS: There were 124 patients in the air group and 123 in the carbon dioxide group. Age, body mass index, indication, diagnosis, and number of procedures were similar for the two groups. There were no differences between the groups in the amounts of sedation or analgesia used, the percentage of examinations that were complete (air, 98.4 percent; carbon dioxide, 95.2 percent), or patient satisfaction (on a scale of 1 to 10: air, 9.4; carbon dioxide, 9.5). Although there were more females in the carbon dioxide group (69 vs. 51), hysterectomy rates were the same. Pain scores (mean +/- 95 percent confidence interval; scale of 1 to 10) immediately after the examination were 4.3 +/- 0.3 for air and 3.6 +/- 0.3 for carbon dioxide (no significant difference). Pain scores 10 minutes later were 2.1 +/- 0.2 for air and 0.9 +/- 0.2 for carbon dioxide (P < 0.05, Student's t-test). CONCLUSION: Because there was significantly less abdominal pain ten minutes after colonoscopy in the group in whom carbon dioxide was used, carbon dioxide should be considered as an insufflating gas for colonoscopy.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2003

Prospective study comparing multislice CT colonography with colonoscopy in the detection of colorectal cancer and polyps.

PURPOSE: Multislice CT colonography is an alternative to colonoscopy. The purpose of this study was to compare multislice CT colonography with colonoscopy in the detection of colorectal polyps and cancers. METHODS: Between June 2000 and December 2001, 45 males and 35 females (median age, 68 (29-83) years) with symptoms of colorectal disease were studied prospectively. All patients underwent multislice CT colonography and colonoscopy, and the findings were compared. RESULTS: Colonoscopy was incomplete in 18 (22 percent) patients because of obstructing lesions or technical difficulty, and multislice CT colonography was unsuccessful in 4 (5 percent) because of fecal residue. Colonoscopy was normal in 26 patients and detected 29 colorectal cancers and 33 polyps in 35 patients, diverticulosis in 16 patients, and colitis in 3 patients. Multislice CT colonography identified 28 of 29 colorectal cancers with one false negative and one false positive (sensitivity, 97 percent; specificity, 98 percent; positive predictive value, 96 percent; negative predictive value, 98 percent). Multislice CT colonography identified all 12 polyps measuring >or=10 mm in diameter (sensitivity, 100 percent), 5 of 6 measuring 6 to 9 mm in diameter (sensitivity, 83 percent), 8 of 15 polyps or=6 mm is similar to colonoscopy. Multislice CT colonography allows clinical staging of colorectal cancers, outlines the whole length of the colon in obstructing carcinoma when colonoscopy fails, and can identify extracolonic causes of abdominal symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Limitations of barium enema performed as an adjunct to incomplete colonoscopy.

PURPOSE: Colonoscopy is believed to be inadequate in 4 to 24 percent of procedures. Barium enema often is utilized to complete the examination. In radiology literature, a successful barium enema in this setting requires only that the cecum has been reached. In this study, completion barium enema was assessed for both completeness and quality of proximal visualization. METHODS: The charts of 16,216 patients undergoing colonoscopy at Saint Vincent Health Center from July 1995 to July 2003 were reviewed to identify patients who underwent barium enema within six months of an incomplete colonoscopy. Incomplete colonoscopies were audited for history of previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, level of colon attained, and apparent reasons for failure. Corresponding barium enema reports were evaluated in a similar fashion. RESULTS: In 485 patients (2.9 percent), colonoscopy was incomplete. One hundred eighteen patients underwent barium enema after incomplete colonoscopy. In these patients, sharp angulation (42 percent) or redundancy/looping (31 percent) most often limited endoscopy. Among the barium enema studies, 91 (77 percent) were technically adequate. Twenty-seven studies were suboptimal (poor preparation/intolerance = 7, redundancy = 6, poor filling = 6, stricture/narrowing = 6, severe diverticulosis = 2). Two patients demonstrated additional polyps. There was no correlation between reasons for endoscopic failure and inadequacy of barium enema. Completeness of barium enema was not affected by previous pelvic surgery. Immediate barium enema was no less complete than a delayed study. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of barium enema after incomplete colonoscopy is less than previously reported.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Surveillance colonoscopy in individuals at risk for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: an evidence-based review.

PURPOSE: Surveillance colonoscopy plays an important role in the management of asymptomatic patients known to carry and suspected of carrying hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer gene mutations. Although the shortest interval between surveillance examinations may seem to offer the most benefit to patients, excessive use of this procedure may have unwanted consequences. This study was designed to evaluate the evidence and make recommendations regarding the optimal frequency of surveillance colonoscopy and the age at which to initiate surveillance based on the best available evidence. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched for all articles assessing surveillance colonoscopy from 1966 to 2004 by using the MESH terms "hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer" and "screening." The evidence was systematically reviewed and a critical appraisal of the evidence was performed. RESULTS: There are no randomized, controlled, clinical trials examining the frequency of surveillance colonoscopy in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Three cohort studies were identified for review. There is one cohort study of good quality that provides evidence that surveillance colonoscopy every three years in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer and the risk of death. The two remaining cohort studies provide poor evidence on which to make a recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: The best available evidence supports surveillance with complete colonoscopy to the cecum every three years in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (B recommendation). There is no evidence to support or refute more frequent screening. Further research is required to examine the potential harms and benefits of more frequent screening. However, given the potential for rapid progression from adenoma to carcinoma and missing lesions at colonoscopy, there is consensus that screening more frequently than every three years is required.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed1991

Primary colonoscopy.

There is good evidence that colonoscopy, in expert hands, is the most accurate investigation for the diagnosis of colorectal disease, and it also allows histological confirmation and therapeutic procedures to be carried out. Furthermore, by screening high-risk groups together with regular follow-up of patients with known colorectal neoplasia and surveillance of long-standing ulcerative colitis patients, it may be possible to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. However, at the present time, the lack of widespread availability and the variability in the quality of examinations precludes the employment of colonoscopy as the first-line investigation in colorectal disease. Flexible sigmoidoscopy combined with good quality double contrast barium enema is a reasonable alternative in the majority of cases, reserving colonoscopy for investigation of the elderly and high-risk patients, together with surveillance of patients with premalignant conditions. Technologically, colonoscopy has probably reached its peak and it is now necessary to make provision for more widely available colonoscopy services, provided by adequately trained endoscopists who can guarantee total colonoscopy in more than 90% of cases safely and rapidly. This requires structured training programmes for gastrointestinal physicians and surgeons and ultimately changes in patterns of working practice if adequate numbers of colonoscopy sessions capable of dealing with a steadily increasing workload are to be achieved.

Colonic Diseases↗

PubMed2005

The polyp detection rate of colonoscopy: a national study of Medicare beneficiaries.

National-level data on the proportion of colonoscopies in routine practice that result in polyp detection are limited. Our goal was to determine the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy among population subgroups. We reviewed Medicare claims data for all fee-for-service beneficiaries 65 years or older who underwent colonoscopy in 1999. With the use of diagnosis and procedure codes, the proportion of procedures with polyps was estimated. Three different criteria for polyp detection were used. Approximately 1.8 million colonoscopy procedures were identified. Depending on the specific criteria used, 23.9% to 35.7% of examinations noted polyps. The detection rate was highest in younger patients, men, and whites. The apparent yield of colonoscopy in terms of polyp detection is at least 24%. These data may be informative in predicting resource allocation for therapeutic procedures associated with colonoscopy. Future studies should determine the use and yield of serial colonoscopies for polyp surveillance.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Use of a double balloon enteroscope facilitates caecal intubation after incomplete colonoscopy with a standard colonoscope.

BACKGROUND: Caecal intubation is a necessary step in the complete endoscopic evaluation of the colon. Studies have estimated that experienced colonoscopists may fail to reach the caecum in up to 10% of cases. AIMS: To evaluate the utility of the double balloon enteroscope used for complete examination of the colon in patients with incomplete standard colonoscopy. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive patients with incomplete colonoscopies within the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. Mean age of 66 years (S.D.+/-12 years, range 46-84), 16 men. METHODS: Prospective single-centre case series on the caecal intubation rate using standard double balloon enteroscope technique in patients with previous incomplete conventional colonoscopy. RESULTS: Use of the standard double balloon enteroscope technique permitted complete colonoscopy to be achieved in 95% of the patients (19/20). Seven patients (35%) had significant pathology beyond the extent of the prior incomplete colonoscopy. We performed endoscopic mucosal resection, polypectomy or biopsy. The mean time to reach the caecum was 28 min (S.D.+/-20 min, range 6-90 min). The sedation was similar to conventional colonoscopy. No complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The double balloon enteroscope technology and technique can be used to complete examination of the colon in patients who were referred because of incomplete standard colonoscopy.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Preoperative colonoscopy after self-expandable metallic stent placement in patients with acute neoplastic colon obstruction.

BACKGROUND: In patients with colorectal cancer, a preoperative colonoscopy is recommended to exclude synchronous lesions. Unfortunately, between 7% and 29% of patients with colorectal cancer present with acute colonic obstruction, making complete colonoscopy impossible. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of a preoperative colonoscopy after effective stent placement in patients with acute neoplastic obstruction. DESIGN: Single-center prospective study. SETTING: All examinations were carried out at a tertiary referral center with 24-hour emergency endoscopy service. PATIENTS: Fifty-seven patients with acute neoplastic colon obstruction. INTERVENTIONS: Patients who recovered from an acute colon obstruction by an effective stent placement and who had a resectable cancer underwent a preoperative colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Patients with a resectable cancer, complete preoperative colonoscopies, and synchronous lesions rates. RESULTS: Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) were placed in 50 of 57 patients (87.8%). Thirty-one of 50 patients had a resectable cancer (62%), and a complete preoperative colonoscopy was possible in 29 of 31 patients (93.4%). A synchronous cancer was detected in 3 patients (9.6%), changing the surgical plan. LIMITATIONS: Seven patients in whom the SEMS placement (12.2%) was unsuccessful underwent an urgent surgical intervention. Nineteen of 50 patients who had stent placement were not eligible for our study because of unresectable cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that it is feasible in a majority of patients to perform full preoperative colonoscopy after relief of acute colonic obstruction with SEMS before surgical resection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Predictors of utilization of early colonoscopy vs. radiography for severe lower intestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: The management of acute lower intestinal bleeding is not standardized. This study assessed factors associated with early (within 24 hours of presentation) colonoscopy vs. radiographic evaluation of patients with severe acute lower intestinal bleeding in routine practice. METHODS: A cohort of 252 patients admitted with acute lower intestinal bleeding to a teaching hospital (August 1996 to June 1999) was studied retrospectively. Severe bleeding was defined as transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells and/or a greater than 20% decrease in hematocrit within 24 hours of presentation. If both colonoscopy and radiography were performed, the initial procedure was analyzed. Multivariable regression was used to identify independent factors related to each of the two initial interventions. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients met criteria for severe bleeding; 33 (28%) underwent an initial, early colonoscopy and 20 (17%) underwent an initial, early radiographic procedure (17 radionuclide scintigraphy, 3 angiography). Independent factors related to early colonoscopy were post-polypectomy bleeding (OR 6.3: 95% CI[1.4, 28.0]), admission on a weekday (OR 3.0: 95% CI[1.0, 8.6]), and admission late in the day (OR 2.7: 95% CI[1.0, 7.0]). Independent factors related to early radiography were tachycardia (OR 5.1: 95% CI[1.7, 14.9]), syncope (OR 3.8: 95% CI[1.1, 13.2]) and bleeding during the first 4 hours after admission (OR 3.1: 95% CI[1.0, 9.0]). Colonoscopy was associated with shorter hospital stay (p=0.025), increased diagnostic yield (p=0.005), and fewer red blood cell transfusions (p=0.024). Rates of therapeutic intervention, surgery, and death did not differ significantly between the two strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Logistical factors and the likelihood of a localized source of bleeding influence the performance of early colonoscopy for the evaluation of acute lower intestinal bleeding, whereas patients with clinical indicators of severe bleeding often undergo radiographic procedures. Because early colonoscopy may improve outcomes, further studies are needed to compare available strategies and to standardize the management of acute lower intestinal bleeding.

Adult↗