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FIBREOPTIC COLONOSCOPY: INDICATIONS, RESULTS AND COMPLICATIONS ∗
Author(s) -
Stuart Malcolm,
Failes David,
Killingback Mark,
De Luca Catherine
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1979.tb119389.x
Subject(s) - colonoscopy , medicine , rectum , incidence (geometry) , general surgery , surgery , colorectal cancer , cancer , physics , optics
Fibreoptic colonoscopy was commenced in the Edward Wilson Colon and Rectum Unit at Sydney Hospital in June, 1973. The experience of the first five years of its use is reported. Six hundred and twenty‐six examinations have been performed in 568 patients. Fibreoptic colonoscopy has been of particular value in the diagnosis and treatment of colonic polyps. A total of 318 polyps were removed from 184 patients. Their distribution, size and histological features are recorded. Eight complications occurred in the 626 examinations (1.6%). There were six colonic perforations (1.2%) with one death, and two significant haemorrhages (0.4%). This incidence of complications is acceptably low, especially in view of the great benefits obtained by the patient from fibreoptic colonoscopy. The newer instruments, especially the medium length Olympus MB3 colonoscope, have greatly facilitated the examination and, combined with increasing experience, may significantly lower the incidence of complications in the future.