Abstract:Objective To summarize etiology, diagnosis and prognosis of melanosis coli. Methods Fifty-four cases of melanosis coli were treated in our hospital from Sep. 2009 to Sep. 2012 after electronic colonoscopy and pathological diagnosis. A retrospective clinical analysis was made for them. Of the 54 patients, 34 were followed up for one year. Results The 54 cases of melanosis coli accounted for 0.13% of those (54/4120) receiving colonoscopy in the three years and the female had a higher incidence. The average age was 70.21 (40-88) years. Chronic constipation was the cause of 52 cases (96.29%) while the other two had taken herbs for at least 6 months. Electronic colonoscopy was the main means of diagnosis, and biopsy and pathological examination were performed for colon polyps found in electronic colonoscopy. After one-year follow-up, 34 cases were re-examined, the extent of melanosis coli was not relieved; the incidence of colon polyp was not obviously increased. Conclusions Etiology of melanosis coli is clear. Electronic colonoscopy is the main means of diagnosis. Long-term follow-up is needed when short-term intervention is not efficient.