title: Promptness of diagnosis is the main prognostic factor after colonoscopic perforation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors present their experience of colonoscopic perforation and its management, with an analysis of factors affecting outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the last 10 years, 22 cases of colonoscopic perforation (CP) were identified in two different institutions. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morbidity and mortality rates were 31% and 13.6%, respectively. Prompt diagnosis was the most powerful predictor of outcome of CP. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that morbidity and mortality were significantly related to a delay in diagnosis of more than 24 h (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results emphasize the importance of prompt assessment of a patient who develops symptoms after colonoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Surgical Department of Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Technologies and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy. netlat@tiscali.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Velluti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Giulio
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ziparo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: La Torre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors