ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

Hematochezia takes place in the first row of the indications for colonoscopy, and it is the most important finding that causes the patient to present to a health center. It is reported that one of the eight patients with hematochezia may have a serious underlying disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the colonoscopic results of the patients with hematochezia.

METHODS:

The outcomes of the 234 patients who had colonoscopy for hematochezia between 2003-2008 were investigated retrospectively. The histopathological examination results of the patients who had polypectomy and biopsy were also included.

RESULTS:

The outcomes of 720 patients who had colonoscopy in 5 years were evaluated. 234 patients (%32.5) presented with hematochezia. The indications for colonoscopy were as follows: constipation for 205 patients (%28.47), weight loss and anemia examination for 134 patients (%18.61), diarrhea for 42 patients (%5.83) and prior polypectomy or colorectal cancer operation follow-up for 105 patients (%14.58). The colonoscopic examination of the patients with hematochezia showed hemorrhoidal disease in 96 patients (%41.02), colonic or rectal polyp in 56 patients (%23.93), colon or rectum tumor in 28 patients (%11.96), diverticular disease in 16 patients (%6.83), inflammatory intestinal disease in 9 patients (%3.84) and rectal ulcer in 3 patients. 26 patients had normal outcomes of colonoscopy.

CONCLUSION:

Colonoscopy is a unique method in providing the bleeding lesion to be visible, providing hystopathological diagnosis in suspicion of malignity, and giving a chance to treat a bleeding lesion.