Significance of colonoscope length in cecal insertion time.
BACKGROUND
According to a previous study, a longer insertion time was associated with inadequate bowel cleansing, advanced age, constipation, surgical history, sex, and a low body mass index. However, there are only a few studies on the association between cecal insertion time and colonoscope length (long vs intermediate).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the association of colonoscope length and cecal insertion time.


METHODS
Prospective comparative trial, with systematic assignment to colonoscope length.


METHODS
A total of 998 colonoscopic examinations were performed by a single endoscopist, who used video colonoscopes.


METHODS
Cecal insertion times and their potential covariates.


RESULTS
The mean (+/-SEM) age was 49.06 +/- 0.4 years, 61% were men, and the mean (+/-SEM) body mass index was 24.17 +/- 2.96. The mean (+/-SEM) cecal insertion time was 4.68 +/- 0.09 minutes. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that sex (female, P = .000), colonoscope length (long, P = .000), increasing age (P = .000), percentage of body fat (P = .006), and inadequate bowel cleansing (P = .002) were independent factors associated with a longer insertion time.


CONCLUSIONS
All procedures were performed by only one gastroenterologist, so the individual characteristics of colonoscopic procedures could be affected by a consequent bias.


CONCLUSIONS
This large, cross-sectional study identified colonoscope length as a useful factor that affected cecal insertion time.
Lee
Hang Lak
HL
Department of Gastroenterology, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang Women's College, Seoul, Korea.
Eun
Chang Soo
CS
Lee
Oh Young
OY
Jeon
Yong Cheol
YC
Han
Dong Soo
DS
Sohn
Ju Hyun
JH
Yoon
Byung Chul
BC
Choi
Ho Soon
HS
Hahm
Joon Soo
JS
Lee
Min Ho
MH
Lee
Dong Hoo
DH
Moon
Won
W
Kim
Sang-Yeon
SY
D002432:Cecum; D020685:Colonoscopes; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors