• D Grasset, J J Morfoisse, and C Seigneuric.
• Service de Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier, Montauban.
• Gastroen Clin Biol. 2000 Mar 1; 24 (3): 273-8.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to describe the conditions of practice and results of colonoscopies performed in non university hospital endoscopy units.MethodsA study was suggested to all members of the National Association of non university Hospital Gastroenterologists (ANGH). During one week a questionnaire was filled out by the gastroenterologists for each colonoscopy.ResultsEighty six hospitals (229 gastroenterologists) took part in this study including 840 explorations. Ninety one percent of them were complete and the result was abnormal in 49%: cancers (3%), polyps > or =1 cm (8%), polyps < 1 cm (20%) and colitis (5%). Colonoscopies were ambulatory in half of the cases. Sedation was used in 95% of the patients, 80% by the anesthesist and 15% by the gastroenterologist (conscious sedation). The recommendations of the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care for ambulatory sedation were not totally respected (15% of patients left the endoscopy unit without assistance). Only 6% of colonoscopies were not well tolerated, because of pain or incidents rarely necessitating intensive care monitoring (5 cases) or prolonged hospitalization (2 cases).ConclusionColonoscopy provides good diagnostic yield although conditions of use can be improved.

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