Colonoscopy in Infancy and Childhood with Special Regard to Patient Preparation and Examination Technique

Summary

Only long colonoscopes, Olympus CF-LB₂ or TCF-2L, were used for the 76 pediatric colonoscopies.

A combination of a thin-liquid diet and laxatives was employed for 1-2 days before all the examinations. Physiological saline enemas on the eve and the morning of the day of examination were employed as supplementary colon-cleansing measures only in larger children.

A mixture consisting of chlorpromazine, promethazine and pethidine chloride supplemented with atropine sulfate was used for premedication. Diazepam and ketamine chloride given i.v., or inhalation of halothane +N₂O + O₂ were employed for general anesthesia. Diazapam and phentanyl citrate given intravenously were used for the sedation of older children.

The “classical” and Gaisford's modification of the procedure were found to be the most suitable examination techniques in infants and children. The coecum was reached in 75 % of all examinations, and we had no complications with pediatric colonoscopy.

Key words:

Pediatric colonoscopy - Equipment - Purgation - Premedication - General anesthesia - Sedation - Examination technique