Can Colonoscopy Diagnose Transmural Ischaemic Colitis after Abdominal Aortic Surgery? An Evidence-based Approach

Abstract

Objectives: to assess the diagnostic value of colonoscopy in ischaemic colitis following abdominal aortic surgery, based on a literature review, and to introduce the concept of evidence-based medicine. Method: a review of the literature according to evidence-based principles was made by all doctors of our department. Results: seven prospective non-randomised reports on routine colonoscopy after abdominal aortic surgery were found. None of the participants found all the reports, and the last was identified by the reviewer. Conclusions: Endoscopy may disclose ischaemic colitis, but cannot separate transmural from the clinically less important mucosal ischaemia. Endoscopy had no impact on mortality in any of the prospective series. The evidence-based conference was an inspiring teaching modality, and illustrated for the participants the difficulty in performing a targeted literature search.