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CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Coloproctology 2025; 45(03): s00451810616
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810616
Original Article

On Time and Target: Evaluating Colonoscopy Performance and Learning Curves in Coloproctology Residents

Authors

  • Juliana Chaves Brandão 

    1   Department of Surgery, Proctological Surgery Discipline, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

  • Paulo Cesar de Castro Junior 

    2   Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Discipline, Faculty of Medical Sciences Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

  • Ruy Garcia Marques 

    3   Brazilian College of Surgeons, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research.
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Abstract

Colonoscopy is an essential procedure in colorectal cancer screening and treatment, and high-quality exams are crucial for maximizing diagnostic efficacy. Technical proficiency in colonoscopy is a key factor for the quality of the procedures and, so, for patient safety. This study analyzes the colonoscopy learning curve of coloproctology residents, using cecal intubation time as a metric. Cecal intubation time was analyzed in 216 exams performed by first- and second-year coloproctology residents at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro/RJ, over a period of 10 months. The results revealed a learning curve with a significant reduction in cecal intubation time over the course of the training, particularly in first-year residents, who began their training in an environment with more frequent exams. These results align with earlier studies, emphasizing the importance of repetitive practice for developing the technical skills needed for competent colonoscopy.

The findings of this study demonstrate that conducting between 100 and 150 colonoscopies suggests a suitable benchmark for achieving competence in this procedure.

Keywords

colonoscopy - traineeship - academic training - colorectal surgery - colorectal cancer

Authors' Contribution

JCB: designed the study, collected and analyzed data, and wrote the manuscript; PCCJ: supervised the project, interpreted the data, and revised the manuscript; RGM: critically reviewed the final manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the authors upon reasonable request.




Publication History

Received: 17 May 2025

Accepted: 16 July 2025

Article published online:
07 October 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Bibliographical Record
Juliana Chaves Brandão, Paulo Cesar de Castro Junior, Ruy Garcia Marques. On Time and Target: Evaluating Colonoscopy Performance and Learning Curves in Coloproctology Residents. Journal of Coloproctology 2025; 45: s00451810616.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810616