[Comparison of complications in colonoscopic treatment in elderly and young subjects]

Owing to a recent increase in incidence of colonic adenoma and adenocarcinoma, colonoscopic treatments for elderly subjects are performed more frequently. We analyzed differences in complications between elderly and young subjects. OBJECT AND PROCEDURE: Subjects that had been treated with colonoscopy at Keio Cancer Center, were divided into two groups: one group (436) consisting of subjects below the age of 65, the other (176) consisting of subjects 65 and over. We analyzed differences in symptoms, complications and pathological findings.

No significant statistical differences were found in the occurrence of adenoma and adenocarcinoma between the young and the elderly group.

Pain occurred in 9.4% of the young group and 10.2% of the elderly group, showing no significant difference between the two groups. Bleeding occurred in 0.7% of the young group and 3.8% of the elderly group and ulcerative scars were found in two of the latter.

In the elderly the regenerative capacity of damaged blood vessels and tissues is greatly reduced, therefore bleeding and ulceration occurred more frequently. It was thus concluded that it is very important for elderly group to rest after endoscopical mucosal resection, polypectomy and biopsy in order to minimize the risk of bleeding in the digestive tract.