The authors retrospectively analyzed 504 outpatient undergoing colonoscopy, performed from June 2008 to May 2009, in the "Center for Medical Specialties" of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, by the Group of Coloproctology of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte and School of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais (CPG). The study deserve special highlights the analysis of gender, age, specialty of referring physicians, indications of colonoscopy, bowel preparation used, height achieved by colonoscopy and colonoscopic findings. Regarding gender, 67% (337) were women and 33% (167) men, and as to age, stood sixth (130 patients, 26%) and seventh (113 patients, 22%). The examination was self-generated by the GCP in 79.56% (401 colonoscopies) and the most common indications were low bleeding (76 cases, 13.0%) and control patients undergoing surgical approach to colorectal cancer (70 cases; 12.0%). Bowel preparation was done with mannitol, lactulose and sodium picosulphate, according to the clinical status, allowing for 71% (359 cases) of excellent results. Colonoscopy reached the cecum in 445 patients (88.0%), having reached the terminal ileum in 293 cases (58.0%). The main findings were polyps (163 cases, 28.0%), followed by normal findings (149 cases, 26.0%) and diverticular disease of the colon (141 cases, 24.0%). Of the 151 polyps that had marked its size, 130 polyps were the largest diameter less than 10 mm (86.0%). Of 207 histopathological examinations performed, either in biopsies or in polyp resection, the polyp was the most common finding (163 cases, 78.8%), and among the 163 polyps resected the most common finding was the adenoma with low grade dysplasia (116 cases ; 71.2%). There were no complications. The data were compared with some published reports, all within the usual standards.
Colonoscopy; Diagnosis; Colorectal diseases; colorectal polyps; bowel preparation
