title: The current practice standard for colonoscopy in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite having one of the highest rates per capita for colonoscopy worldwide, colorectal cancer remains the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy in Australia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to document colonoscopy/polypectomy practice nationwide and assess whether significant differences exist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online survey conducted nationally in 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical practitioners registered with the Gastroenterological Society of Australia practicing colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rates of polypectomy techniques for varying polyp sizes, postpolypectomy bleeding prophylaxis techniques, and adenoma detection practices. To assess whether variations exist according to practice location, specialty, and experience and comparison of practice with a previous American cohort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 846 members contacted, 244 (28.8%) responded. The cohort consisted primarily of consultant gastroenterologists (182/244, 74.6%). The cold-snare technique was preferred (165/244, 67.6%) for polyps 3 mm in size; however, this decreased rapidly with increasing polyp size (5 mm [120/244, 49.2%] and 7-9 mm [18/244, 7.4%]). EMR was the preferred method of resection for polyps 7 to 9 mm in size (148/244, 60.7%). The withdrawal technique predominantly consisted of double-passing high-risk areas and rectal retroflexion (134/244, 54.9%). Significant differences across specialty, location, and experience included polypectomy method for diminutive polyps, the use of EMR, and retroflexion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survey-based study and response rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although variations in colonoscopy and polypectomy practice exist, the majority of our cohort performs cold-snare polypectomy for diminutive polyps and pass high-risk, poorly visualized areas twice on withdrawal. This is a significant shift in practice from that of the U.S. cohort studied 10 years earlier.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Sujievvan
authors: S
authors: Chandran
authors: Department of Anesthetics, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Parker
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Rhys
authors: R
authors: Vaughan
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Marios
authors: M
authors: Efthymiou
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D001315:Australia; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D062048:Narrow Band Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013038:Specialization; D014481:United States