title: Colonoscopy--a ten year Wellington experience.
abstract: Between April 1975 and December 1985, 870 colonoscopies have been performed at Wellington Hospital. A cause of gastrointestinal blood loss was identified in 61% of patients examined for this reason. Ninety-eight percent of patients with longstanding total mucosal ulcerative colitis were able to be managed nonsurgically. The diagnostic problem was resolved colonoscopically in 99% of patients with radiological abnormality. Seven hundred and seventy-six polyps and four polypoid carcinomata were removed endoscopically. A further four patients were referred for surgery following incomplete removal of polypoid carcinomata but no residual tumour was found in the resected bowel. It is suggested that strict criteria be employed in the selection of patients for colonoscopy.
mesh_terms: D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis