Evaluation of a novel colonoscope offering flexibility adjuster and a multi-LED technology

Objectives:

Although colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, total colonoscopy may be somehow difficult according to loops preventing advancement of the endoscope. In this context, variable stiffness colonoscopes allow for passage of the rectosigmoid colon in a flexible mode followed by stiffing the device to prevent looping thus potentially accelerating the endoscopic procedure.

Aims:

Primary objective was to evaluate the performance characteristics of a novel colonoscope offering a new type of variable stiffness and a multi-LED technology.

Material & Methods:

Consecutive patients without previous colorectal surgery were prospectively included. Colonoscopy was performed with the new colonoscope and performance characteristics including time to cecum, withdrawal time, total examination time, patient and endoscopists' satisfaction were recorded.

Results:

Among 180 consecutive procedures, 98.3% of examinations were complete to the cecum. Endoscopic flexibility adjuster was activated in 83.3% of cases. For the first 11 cases the device was judged as very helpful in 64% of examinations. In the following cases the device was always judged as very helpful suggesting a distinct learning curve. Mean cecal intubation time was 6.5 minutes with 35% of examination within less than 5 minutes and mean withdrawal time was 7 minutes. Mean total examination time was 18 minutes. Patient satisfaction was rated as high in all examination performed.

Conclusion:

The new variable stiffness colonoscope with a multi-LED technology allowed for fast and successful cecal intubation within a short period of time and was frequently judged as most helpful by the examiner. Future studies should now focus on the effect of the new colonoscope in unsedated patients.