Prospective analysis of complications 30 days after outpatient colonoscopy☆,☆☆,★,★★
Section snippets
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The cohort was composed of patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy at Georgetown University Hospital from January 14, 1997, to January 13, 1998. All patients were interviewed by telephone 30 days after the procedure regarding possible endoscopic complications and work lost. Twenty physicians performed colonoscopy in the endoscopy suite. Nine physicians were academic gastroenterologists, seven were gastroenterologists in private practice, two were pediatric academic gastroenterologists, and
RESULTS
One thousand six hundred twenty-one patients underwent outpatient colonoscopy from January 14, 1997, to January 13, 1998. Of these patients, 1196 (74%) were contacted and agreed to participate in the study. The average age of the patients contacted was 56.7 years, and 53% were men. The most common reason for exclusion was no answer at the telephone number given. Five patients died before the end of the 30-day follow-up period, but none of the deaths was procedure related. One hundred
DISCUSSION
Contacting patients 30 days after outpatient colonoscopy identified significantly more complications than were discussed at monthly morbidity and mortality conferences. Most complications detected at 30 days occurred within 48 hours of the procedure and did not necessitate additional medical attention. However, most emergency department or physician visits and hospitalizations resulting from colonoscopy were detected at 30 days but were not discussed at morbidity and mortality conferences; the
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From the Department of Gastroenterology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, and Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
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Supported by a grant from the American College of Gastroenterology.
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Reprint requests: Richard Zubarik, 8987 Shady Leaf Cove, Cordova, TN 38018; e-mail: [email protected].
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