complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

The key complications of colonoscopy are:

  • perforation:
    • large necessitate laparotomy
    • small may be treated conservatively
  • haemorrhage in 0.72 to 2.5%
  • transmural burn during polypectomy

The total complication rate is 0.14% for diagnostic colonoscopy and 2% for therapeutic colonoscopy.