Can general surgeons perform colonoscopy safely?

How well can surgeons perform colonoscopy?

“…Clearly, the data from the current study support the findings of Church [9], Cirocco and Rusin [11], Cosgrove et al [13], Reed et al [37], Galandiuk [18], Rai [36], Parry and Williams [34], Nivatvongs [30], Forde [17], Habr-Gama and Waye [22], and Opelka [32]. Specifically, it is not the specialty of the physician or surgeon that predicts the safety, efficacy, and outcome of colonoscopy, but the amount of training and experience of the individual physician.…”

“…Reed et al [37] addressed the issue of colonoscopy performed by several general surgeons lacking formal endoscopic fellowship training. In their series of 1,025 endoscopic examinations, the overall complication rate of 0.10% demonstrated an ability by general surgeons to safely perform diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy.…”

Colonoscopy: why are general surgeons being excluded?

“…That study, however, included all surgical endoscopists. In their study published in 1992, Reed et al specifically analyzed data from 1000 consecutive colonoscopies performed by general surgeons with no formal endoscopic training [2]. They reported a 0.1% complication rate and no mortality.…”

A prospective analysis of 13,580 colonoscopies

“…Reed et al [61] addressed the issue of colonoscopy performed by several general surgeons lacking formal endoscopic fellowship training. In their series of 1,025 endoscopic examinations, the overall complication rate of 0.10% demonstrated an ability by general surgeons to perform diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy safely.…”