GuidelineThe role of endoscopy in the management of patients with known and suspected colonic obstruction and pseudo-obstruction
Introduction
Endoscopy may play a role in the management of colonic obstruction from malignant and benign conditions. Colonoscopy may be required to determine the cause of obstruction, obtain tissue for diagnosis, and provide treatment. Approximately 15% to 20% of patients with colorectal cancer present with colonic obstruction.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Metastatic cancer and locally advanced pelvic tumors also may cause colonic obstruction. Benign causes of obstruction include volvulus, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, anastomotic strictures, radiation injury, ischemia, foreign bodies, and intussusception.
The present document describes the role of endoscopy in known and suspected colonic obstruction, including an update of an earlier ASGE guideline on acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO).7
Section snippets
Presentation and initial evaluation
Patients with colonic obstruction typically present with periumbilical or hypogastric pain, ranging in intensity from mild discomfort to severe pain, associated with abdominal distention. Patients with severe unremitting pain or peritoneal signs may have complete obstruction or gangrenous bowel and should be referred for surgical consultation. Endoscopy is contraindicated in these patients, because of risk of perforation from air insufflation of the distended bowel. Abdominal radiographs in
Recommendations
- 1
Because patients with mechanical colonic obstruction can deteriorate rapidly, we suggest that early surgical consultation be obtained for patients who may require surgical management. (⊕⊕○○)
- 2
We recommend against endoscopy in patients with peritoneal signs or suspicion of perforation, because these may be indicative of complete obstruction or gangrenous bowel requiring surgical intervention. Prompt surgical referral is recommended for these patients. (⊕⊕○○)
- 3
We suggest placement of colonic SEMS for
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Cited by (124)
Emergency Colon and Rectal Surgery, What Every Surgeon Needs to Know
2024, Current Problems in SurgeryEndoscopic Management of Colonic Obstruction
2024, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North AmericaAdvances in gastrointestinal surgical endoscopy
2021, Annals of Medicine and SurgeryColonic Stent Use by Indication and Patient Outcomes: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Study
2021, Journal of Surgical ResearchConsiderations in the Management of Malignant Bowel Obstruction
2021, Surgical Oncology Clinics of North AmericaCitation Excerpt :Experience with endoscopically placed stents is growing. Stents often are used as a bridge to curative intent surgery, primarily for patients with colorectal obstruction.27 In patients who are not candidates for a curative intent approach, stents are used to alleviate symptoms of MBO related to a single point of obstruction.
This document is a product of the Standards of Practice Committee. This document was reviewed and approved by the Governing Board of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.