Short flexible fiberoptic colonoscopy in routine office examinations.

Through experience with 1,464 examinations using the short flexible fiberoptic colonscope, the author concludes it to be the preferred instrument for endoscopy of the distal bowel. He finds it superior to the rigid instrument in detection of polyps and early malignant disease of the distal descending and sigmoid colons. The flexible instrument is generally less uncomfortable for the patient and is readily accepted as a routine part of a thorough colonic and rectal examination.