Can colonoscopy diagnose transmural ischaemic colitis after abdominal aortic surgery? An evidence-based approach

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2000 Mar;19(3):304-7. doi: 10.1053/ejvs.1999.1005.

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.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Aorta, Abdominal / surgery*
  • Colitis, Ischemic / diagnosis*
  • Colonoscopy*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Survival Rate