Complications of Colonoscopy
Authors: W. Michael McDonnell, Fritz Loura
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2007)

Letters7 August 2007Complications of ColonoscopyW. Michael McDonnell, MD and Fritz Loura, MDW. Michael McDonnell, MDFrom Western Washington Medical Group, Everett, WA 98203.Search for more papers by this author and Fritz Loura, MDFrom Western Washington Medical Group, Everett, WA 98203.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-147-3-200708070-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Levin and colleagues (1) report a major complication in about 1 in 200 colonoscopies and a perforation rate approaching 1 in 1000. They point out that their results are consistent with other reports on complications (Table[2–14]). However, if we (or any large private practice gastroenterology group) had such a complication rate, it would be cause for concern and in need of review.Table. Colonoscopy Perforation RatesThe authors and editors state that a limitation of the study is that less than 1% of the procedures were screening colonoscopies and, thus, the complication rate may be ...References1. Levin TR, Zhao W, Conell C, Seeff LC, Manninen DL, Shapiro JA, et al. Complications of colonoscopy in an integrated health care delivery system. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145:880-6. [PMID: 17179057] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Waye JD, Lewis BS, Yessayan S. Colonoscopy: a prospective report of complications. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1992;15:347-51. [PMID: 1294644] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Lo AY, Beaton HL. Selective management of colonoscopic perforations. J Am Coll Surg. 1994;179:333-7. [PMID: 8069431] MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Farley DR, Bannon MP, Zietlow SP, Pemberton JH, Ilstrup DM, Larson DR. Management of colonoscopic perforations. Mayo Clin Proc. 1997;72:729-33. [PMID: 9276600] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Zubarik R, Fleischer DE, Mastropietro C, Lopez J, Carroll J, Benjamin S, et al. Prospective analysis of complications 30 days after outpatient colonoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 1999;50:322-8. [PMID: 10462650] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Anderson ML, Pasha TM, Leighton JA. Endoscopic perforation of the colon: lessons from a 10-year study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:3418-22. [PMID: 11151871] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Imperiale TF, Wagner DR, Lin CY, Larkin GN, Rogge JD, Ransohoff DF. Risk of advanced proximal neoplasms in asymptomatic adults according to the distal colorectal findings. N Engl J Med. 2000;343:169-74. [PMID: 10900275] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Araghizadeh FY, Timmcke AE, Opelka FG, Hicks TC, Beck DE. Colonoscopic perforations. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001;44:713-6. [PMID: 11357034] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Nelson DB, McQuaid KR, Bond JH, Lieberman DA, Weiss DG, Johnston TK. Procedural success and complications of large-scale screening colonoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002;55:307-14. [PMID: 11868001] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. Misra T, Lalor E, Fedorak RN. Endoscopic perforation rates at a Canadian university teaching hospital. Can J Gastroenterol. 2004;18:221-6. [PMID: 15054498] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. Korman LY, Overholt BF, Box T, Winker CK. Perforation during colonoscopy in endoscopic ambulatory surgical centers. Gastrointest Endosc. 2003;58:554-7. [PMID: 14520289] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Cobb WS, Heniford BT, Sigmon LB, Hasan R, Simms C, Kercher KW, et al. Colonoscopic perforations: incidence, management, and outcomes. Am Surg. 2004;70:750-7; discussion 757-8. [PMID: 15481289] Google Scholar13. Iqbal CW, Chun YS, Farley DR. Colonoscopic perforations: a retrospective review. J Gastrointest Surg. 2005;9:1229-35: discussion 1236. [PMID: 16332478] Google Scholar14. Rathgaber SW, Wick TM. Colonoscopy completion and complication rates in a community gastroenterology practice. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006;64:556-62. [PMID: 16996349] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Western Washington Medical Group, Everett, WA 98203.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoComplications of Colonoscopy in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System Theodore R. Levin , Wei Zhao , Carol Conell , Laura C. Seeff , Diane L. Manninen , Jean A. Shapiro , and Jane Schulman Complications of Colonoscopy Theodore R. Levin Metrics Cited ByDecision Thresholds and Changes in Risk for Preventive TreatmentIncidence, risk, management, and outcomes of iatrogenic full-thickness large bowel injury associated with 56,882 colonoscopies in 14 Lithuanian hospitalsManagement of Endoscopic ComplicationsEndoscopic research biopsies in human subjects: is it safe enough? 7 August 2007Volume 147, Issue 3Page: 212-213KeywordsChartsColonoscopyConflicts of interest ePublished: 7 August 2007 Issue Published: 7 August 2007 CopyrightCopyright © 2007 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...