Colonoscopy a True Therapeutic Icon

Abstract

Colonic polypectomy remained the first colonoscopic therapeutic intervention which was successfully accomplished with the help of an early snare. This therapeutic procedure was executed by Dehyle in Europe and Shinya in USA in 1971 [1]. Thus, these two colonoscopists acquired the pioneer’s position of therapeutic colonoscopy. Now the colonoscopy has achieved a special status in treating colorectal diseases because of its unique therapeutic aspect. The common uses of therapeutic colonoscopy are broadly classified in to the four major categories because of its unique therapeutic properties. These uses include resection and ablation, hemostasis, decompression with or without recanalization and foreign body extraction. Colonic perforation remained an absolute contraindication to therapeutic colonoscopy which is analogous to diagnostic colonoscopy. Good Communication plays a vital role in accomplishment of successful therapy with the help of colonoscopy. Consent process remained a complex process which should be well organized and tailored as per patient’s needs. There are lot of advancements in colonoscopy in recent years and many new procedures and treatment modalities have become available to treat colorectal diseases with the help of colonoscope. The recent advancement in colonoscopy has led to having many novel techniques. This therapeutic colonoscopy has made a significant change in current colorectal cancer management as polyps can be treated in the early stage, thus reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer. This is the basis of the United Kingdom existing bowel screening program, which is only feasible because of colonoscopy-induced interventions. The successful uses of these techniques obviate the need for a major surgical operation and colorectal disease can be treated with minimally invasive colonoscopic methods. These attributes make colonoscopy a true therapeutic icon.