Colonoscopy in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Colonoscopy is an accurate method of diagnosing colonic disease but is technically demanding and operator dependent. Colonoscopy is not a common procedure in Nigeria. After the restructuring of the endoscopic unit of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, a preliminary survey was carried out with the aim of determining the diagnostic yield and spectrum of cases seen. Methodology: Results of colonoscopies performed by surgeons in the endoscopic unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, a tertiary medical centre in Plateau State, Nigeria were retrospectively analysed for a period of 6 months. The diagnostic yield and findings were analyzed. Results: A total of 43 colonoscopies were performed, the mean age was 43.5 years (range, 8 to 80 years). Male patients were 28. Most (82%) were performed on outpatient basis. Diagnostic yield was 79%. The most common pathology found was haemorrhoids (58.1%). Normal colonoscopy was the outcome in 20.9% of patients. Other lesions were polyps (6.9%) and cancers (4.7%). Multiple lesions were found in 5 patients (10.9%). Conclusion: Haemorrhoids are the most common lesions presently found in patients undergoing colonoscopy performed by surgeons in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Polyps and cancers are found less commonly.

Key Words Colonoscopy, haemorrhoids, polyps