The pansigmoidoscope: One year's experience in a gastrointestinal diagnostic unit

Since May 1976, the Olympus pansigmoidoscope has been available for routine use at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center. Two hundred sixty-five examinations were performed over the next year. The average distance examined was 49 cm. Time per examination ranged from 3 to 15 minutes, with an average of 8 minutes. Preparation consisted of one or two tap water enemas, except in known inflammatory bowel disease where no preparation was given. No patient received sedation and there were no complications. Small biopsy (2.8 mm), large biopsy (4.0 mm), “hot biopsy” and polypectomy were performed when indicated. The procedure was most helpful for the following indications: 1) differential diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease, 2) hematochezia, 3) evaluation of abnormal barium enema, 4) left-sided polypectomy, 5) diarrhea with normal barium enema, and 6) guaiac-positive stools. It was of no value in patients with abdominal pain with normal barium enema. Comparing the frequency of examinations this year with last year we found a 50% decrease in use of the rigid (25 cm) sigmoidoscope (538 to 270 exams) and a 98% decrease in use of the MB2 (100 cm) colonoscope (80 to 2 exams).