The role of colonoscopy in the diagnosis and management of lower intestinal bleeding.

Colonoscopy and roentgenographic studies are complementary techniques in the evaluation of disorders involving the large bowel. The exact roles of these methods in the diagnosis and management of lower intestinal bleeding, however, remain to be established. In this paper, we have formulated various roles for colonoscopy in lower intestinal hemorrhage depending upon the rate and activity of the bleeding according to whether the episode is: 1) recent minor bleeding or recurrent minor or occult bleeding; 2) severe bleeding which has stopped; 3) severe and active bleeding. In addition, we discuss colonoscopic therapy of bleeding lesions and intraoperative endoscopy of the small and large bowel.