Benign pneumoperitoneum after fiberoptic colonoscopy. A prospective study of 100 patients.

A prospective study of 100 consecutive unselected patients undergoing both diagnostic and therapeutic firoptic colonoscopy was undertaken. Our incidence of colonic perforation is 1%, which is similar to the incidence reported in the literature. This study suggests that even when immediate postcolonoscopic supine and erect abdominal radiographs as well as pre- and postcolonoscopic total blood counts and enzyme levels to supplement clinical impressions are obtained, the incidence of perforation of the colon after fiberoptic colonoscopy is low and not any higher than that reported in the literature. Pneumoperitoneum may occur after fiberoptic colonoscopy with minimal or no clinical evidence suggesting perforation. Perforation in some patients may be treated conservatively without the need of emergency laparotomy.