title: Unexpected complication of colonoscopy.
abstract: The authors present a rare case of a 71-year-old man presenting with large bowel obstruction after attempted colonoscopy. The procedure was impossible to complete due to a tight sigmoid stricture and the patient presented with an acute abdomen the following day. He was managed conservatively and discharged before returning for an elective laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. The potential differentials of an acute abdomen post-colonoscopy are discussed and the literature reviewed on this rare complication. Finally, the authors review whether there is pressure on endoscopists to 'complete' colonoscopies (by achieving caecal intubation) based on regulatory indices in quality, and how this might have to be disregarded in unfavourable circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nadarajah
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000072700:Conservative Treatment; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents