Original ArticlesProspective evaluation of complications in outpatient GI endoscopy: A survey among German gastroenterologists☆,☆☆
Section snippets
Materials and methods
One hundred and sixty gastroenterologist members of the Association of German Gastroenterologists (ANGED/bng) were invited by mail to take part in this study; 82 participated. Another 12 internists, nonmembers of ANGED/bng, were recruited by announcing the study in the German language journal Verdauungskrankheiten. Between April 1998 and March 1999, the numbers of outpatient EGD, colonoscopies, and polypectomies were recorded by the participants. All procedures were performed in their practices.
Results
In total, 110,469 EGDs, 82,416 colonoscopies, and 14,249 polypectomies could be evaluated. There were 68,152 complete colonoscopies (intubation to cecum) and 14,264 partial colonoscopies. Of these, 12,393 colonoscopies were planned as partial examinations; the cecum could not be reached in 1871 cases. The “reach-the-cecum-rate” (RCR) was 95% ± 7% (mean ± 1 SD; or 97% median). Gastroenterologists reached the cecum in 97 ± 3% (median 97.3%) and internists in 91 ± 13% (median 96.5%) of procedures.
Discussion
This is the first nationwide prospective study of complications and adverse effects of outpatient GI endoscopy in Germany. The study was designed to minimize bias.9 Results of prospective studies are more reliable than those of retrospective studies. The endoscopists participating in the study were a homogeneous group; only gastroenterologists and a few internists performing endoscopies were selected. Our results are therefore applicable only to specialists in gastroenterology and cannot be
Acknowledgements
The following practices participated in the study: Dres. K. Adenauer, Henneff/Sieg; H. Andree, Neuenhagen; J. Bartner, Oldenburg; E. Baumgart, Berlin; H. Bock and A. Mares, Frankfurt/M; A. Boekstegers, Essen; N. Börner and Th.Clement, Mainz; B. Bokemeyer, Minden; U. Diete, Magdeburg; D. Eckhardt, W. Jung, G. Nippel, D. Wilhelm and G. Winter, Offenbach; U. Eigemann, Cologne; Th. Eisenbach, Leverkusen; H. Eisold, Mössingen; U. Empt,U. Empt and W. Frasch, Viersen; G. Focke, Dresden; O. Friedrichs,
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Reprint requests: Andreas Sieg, MD, Gastroenterologist, Hauptstr. 45, 76684 Östringen, Germany.
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Gastrointest Endosc 2001;53:620-7