Surgery for pancreatic disorders in children is rarely required but may be necessary a) for definitive management of primary pancreatic pathology, b) to treat sequelae of acute or chronic pancreatitis and c) to treat an underlying cause of pancreatitis. There is a broad spectrum of potential pathologies. These patients are best managed by a multidisciplinary team approach.

Colonoscopy in children is frequently performed using intravenous sedation. Traditionally, there have been few advocates of general anaesthesia and some have regarded colonoscopy conducted in this way as potentially more hazardous. The aim of this study was to undertake a prospective audit of paediatric colonoscopy carried out under general anaesthesia. The details of all children referred for colonoscopy during a 3.5‐y period were collected prospectively and the safety and efficacy of performing colonoscopy under general anaesthesia were analysed. A total of 250 colonoscopies was performed in 215 children of median age 10.7 y (range 5 months to 16y) and ileoscopy was carried out in 164 of these cases. An increasing proportion of patients was investigated as day‐cases, including most of the 56 who had additional procedures carried out under the same anaesthetic. There were no complications from the colonoscopy (including the 18 patients who underwent polypectomy). Only one procedure‐related complication occurred and this was avoidable. These results confirm the safety of paediatric colonoscopy under general anaesthesia and demonstrate the advantages and feasibility of such an approach.