Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of the 35-cm versus the 60-cm flexible sigmoidoscope in screening asymptomatic patients for colorectal neoplasia. Two hundred fifty-eight patients 45 years of age or older were examined in a randomized fashion with both the 35-cm and 60-cm instruments. Fifteen percent (39/258) of patients had a total of 50 polypoid lesions 3 mm or greater in diameter (including one carcinoma). Of all polypoid lesions, 76% were detected with the 35-cm instrument compared to 98% with the 60-cm sigmoidoscope. Eighty-four percent of all polyps occurred within the distal 35 cm of colon. The mean time required to complete the examination was significantly less with the 35-cm sigmoidoscope than with the 60-cm sigmoidoscope (2.5 vs. 5.7 min). Moderate to severe discomfort was experienced by 69% of patients with the 60-cm instrument compared to only 29% with the 35-cm sigmoidoscope. Seventy-two percent of patients preferred examination with the shorter instrument compared with 7% for the longer sigmoidoscope, while 21% of patients expressed no preference. The 35-cm flexible sigmoidoscope fulfills many criteria of an effective screening test for colorectal neoplasia including rapidity of examination, safety, good sensitivity, and excellent patient acceptance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 305-308 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Gastrointestinal endoscopy |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1985 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Gastroenterology