Colonoscopy: Preparation and Potential Complications

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Colonoscopy is a gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, with both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
• Complications can arise during colonoscopy, particularly during the preparation phase.
• Limited data exists on the frequency and types of complications specifically during colonoscopy preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe complications associated with colonoscopy preparation in hospitalized patients.
• To identify potentially life-threatening side effects of intensive bowel cleansing.
• To inform strategies for avoiding complications during colonoscopy preparation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of nursing and medical reports for 9962 hospitalized patients prepared for colonoscopy (2005-2016).
• Assessment of side effect frequency during bowel cleansing.
• Collection of additional medical data for patients experiencing complications.

Main Results:

• 180 out of 9962 procedures were discontinued due to complications.
• Common complications included vomiting, epistaxis, loss of consciousness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, choking, cardiac arrhythmias, dyspnea, fractures, acute coronary syndrome, hypotension, hypertension, cerebral ischemia, glucose fluctuations, muscle contractions, and allergic reactions.
• The study highlights the possibility of serious complications during the preparation phase.

Conclusions:

• Colonoscopy preparation can lead to a range of serious and even life-threatening complications.
• Awareness of potential threats during bowel cleansing is crucial for patient safety.
• Individualizing preparation protocols and enhancing patient supervision may reduce complication rates.