The December, 2011 issue of the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has an article by Dr. G.S. Raju of MD Anderson Cancer Center regarding the evolving strategy of repairing colonscopy-related perforations.
Perforations during colonoscopy are rare (.1-.5%) and typically occur during or after a polypectomy procedure. Procedures where endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal resection are used carry the highest risk of perforation.
The pathophysiology of a colonic perforation is well-described.
