title: Verres needle desufflation as an effective treatment option for colonic perforation after colonoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to assess the incidence of colonoscopic perforation and the efficacy of minimal invasive management by Verres needle desufflation.
  
  
  METHODS
  All colonoscopies performed between January 2007 and January 2012, at the Maastricht University Medical Centre, were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 18,449 colonoscopies were performed. Fourteen colonoscopic perforations were diagnosed. Seven patients underwent immediate surgery, whereas the remaining 7 patients were initially managed conservatively: 5 of these patients also underwent Verres needle desufflation. One of the patients who received Verres needle desufflation underwent secondary surgery because of failure of nonsurgical treatment. Conservative management of colonoscopic perforation, including treatment with Verres needle desufflation, was associated with lower complication rates and shorter hospital stays compared with immediate surgical intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Verres needle desufflation in combination with nil per os and antibiotic treatment is a safe option for managing colon perforation after colonoscopy in selected patients lacking clinical signs of peritonitis or sepsis.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Human Biology, NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism †Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht ‡Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Evie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broeders
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Taher
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bouvy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture