ABSTRACT
Colonoscopy provides a limited-access approach to colonic pathologies that would otherwise require surgical intervention. These therapies are proving safe and effective in a segment of the population prone to significant surgical morbidity and mortality. Colonic obstruction secondary to neoplasia, volvulus, anastomotic stricture, and colonic pseudo-obstruction are being treated via the colonoscope with reported success rates in excess of 90%. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding appears best localized via the colonoscope, and new experience suggests common pathologies such as angiodysplasia and diverticulosis are amenable to colonoscopic treatment in the majority of cases. The literature suggests these interventions to be safe, with complication and mortality rates below 5%.
KEYWORD
Colonoscopy - colonic obstruction - colonic pseudo-obstruction - lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage
