Patients presenting to a district general hospital (DGH) with colorectal neoplasms have been studied before and after the introduction of a colonoscopy service, in order to investigate the diagnostic, therapeutic and economic benefits of performing colonoscopy in preference to sigmoidoscopy and double contrast barium enema (DCBE). Colonoscopy led to a 3-fold increase in the incidence of colonic polyps, and 22% of all adenomas showed worrying features. Severe dysplasia and malignancy was seen most frequently in large adenomas (greater than 2 cm), and in those with a villous component. Laparotomy was avoided in 31 patients with proximal polyps, giving colonoscopy an added therapeutic and economic advantage over sigmoidoscopy and DCBE. Colonoscopy was used less frequently to detect colonic carcinomas, as over half of these were rectal, or presented as emergencies. These findings confirm the value of performing colonoscopy in patients who present with colorectal symptoms.
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