A prospective study of colonoscopic examination at al-kindy teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Fiber-optic endoscopy is an important
investigation of the large intestine, whether or not the
radiologist (barium enema) has discovered a lesion in
the bowel. Colonoscopy affords a unique opportunity
to direct visualization of entire colonic mucosa. At
the same time, the physician can obtain biopsy specimens, remove polyps, and decompress volvuli.
Most experienced endoscopists and well prepared
patients can reach the cecum in over 90% of patients.
If colonoscopy is properly performed, it has a low
risk of complications, such as perforation and bleeding.
Methods: A total of 70 consecutive patients admitted
to Endoscopy department at Al-Kindy Teaching hospital from September- 2008 to July-2009. Bowel
preparation was achieved with Polyethylene glycol
lavage solution and 165 cm Pentax colonoscope
EC_3385FK 4.2 was used in all cases. All patients
were not sedated or given any other medication
Results:Seventy colonoscopies were performed in
this study. Forty of them were male and the rest were
female. The mean age was 42 years ranging from 4
years to 85 years. The most common indication for
colonoscopy was rectal bleeding (44%) Polyethylene
glycol lavage solution was used in all patients for
bowel preparation. All patients did not receive premedications. Complete colonoscopy examination was
done in (12.8%) of patients, the most common cause
of incomplete examination was poor bowel preparation (50%). No complications were reported.
Conclusions: Rectal bleeding was the most common
indication for colonoscopy. Poor bowel preparation
was the main cause of incomplete colonoscopy.