Endoscopic treatment for lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is common and can result from several colonic causes including diverticulosis, arteriovenous malformations, ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious colitis, neoplasm, postpolypectomy, and anastomotic and radiation proctitis. Following resuscitation and evaluation, colonoscopy can be used for diagnosis and treatment. Most physicians prescribe a bowel preparation for their patients. Therapeutic options include injection, coagulation (monopolar or bipolar cautery, argon plasma coagulator), and mechanical (clips, bands, detachable loops) devices.