Epidemiologic data suggest that the incidence of C. difficile infection is increasing in U.S. surgical patients and that the infection is most prevalent after emergency operations and among patients having intestinal tract resections. Infection with C. difficile is an independent predictor of increased LOS, total charges, and mortality rate after surgery and represents a considerable burden to both patients and hospitals. Preventing C. difficile infection offers a potentially significant improvement in patient outcomes, as well as a reduction in hospital costs and resource expenditures.

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Our data suggest that colonoscopy can be safely and successfully performed in the very elderly. In patients with symptoms or suggestive radiographic findings, cancer was detected in 4.0%-60% of cases. No cases of cancer were discovered in those patients who were asymptomatic.

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