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Related Experiment Videos

Benign pneumoperitoneum after colonoscopy: a prospective pilot study.

Jonathan P Pearl1, Michael P McNally, Eric A Elster

  • 1Department of Surgery, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA.

Military Medicine
|August 10, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Benign pneumoperitoneum, or free abdominal air, is rare after colonoscopy. This study found no cases, suggesting it may not occur, and recommends treating all instances as perforations.

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Abdominal Imaging

Background:

  • Benign pneumoperitoneum (free intra-abdominal air) is occasionally reported after colonoscopy.
  • Management strategies for post-colonoscopy pneumoperitoneum remain debated due to unclear incidence and causes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively determine the incidence of benign pneumoperitoneum following colonoscopy.
  • To identify potential inciting factors for benign pneumoperitoneum after colonoscopy.

Main Methods:

  • 100 patients undergoing colonoscopy (48 therapeutic) were assessed via chest and abdominal radiography.
  • Radiography was performed post-procedure to detect the presence of free intra-abdominal air.

Main Results:

  • No cases of benign pneumoperitoneum were detected in the study cohort.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The incidence of benign pneumoperitoneum was estimated at 0% to 3% for both diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopies.

    • Conclusions:

    • Benign pneumoperitoneum following colonoscopy appears to be a rare or nonexistent event.
    • Given the low incidence, all instances of free intra-abdominal air post-colonoscopy should be managed as potential perforations.