Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy - a review of 300 examinations

In a period of twenty-two months, 300 patients were subjected to colonoscopic examinations. The proximal colon could be intubated in more than 90% of patients, when there was no distal obstruction or contraindications. Colonoscopy provided a more accurate diagnosis of colorectal diseases when correlated with barium enema examinations, and several unnecessary operations were thus avoided. However both procedures should be regarded as complementary rather than competitive. Colonoscopic polypectomy has revolutionised the management of colonic polyps, which are precursors to most colonic carcinomas. It has greatly reduced the need for laparotomy and surgical polypectomy. The morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization and cost are significantly lower with colonoscopic polypectomy when compared with surgical polypectomy. In the present series, 45 colonic polyps were removed from 32 patients without any complications. The increased use of colonoscopic polypectomy may reduce the death rate from colonic carcinoma.