Cecal intubation rate with the double-balloon endoscope after incomplete conventional colonoscopy: a study in 45 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Conventional colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. However, a failure rate to complete conventional colonoscopy of more than 10% is reported in the literature. We evaluated whether the therapeutic Fujinon double-balloon endoscope EN-450T5/20 is a valuable tool to intubate the cecum and to carry out all conventional endoscopic procedures after incomplete conventional colonoscopy.


METHODS
Forty-five consecutive patients with prior incomplete conventional colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled. All but three procedures were carried out under conscious sedation with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position without fluoroscopic guidance.


RESULTS
The cecum was reached in 42 of 45 patients (93%) and in 62% additional therapeutic interventions were carried out. Double-balloon colonoscopy required less conscious sedation compared to conventional colonoscopy. No external abdominal compression nor fluoroscopic control was used. The insertion depth of the double-balloon endoscope did not exceed the working length of a conventional colonoscope.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study illustrates that the concept of double-balloon endoscopy is a valuable alternative to reach the cecum after prior incomplete conventional colonoscopy, especially due to redundant colon and colonic loop formation. The procedure requires less conscious sedation and no fluoroscopic control, but allows all conventional endoscopic interventions.
Moreels
Tom G
TG
Antwerp University Hospital, Department Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Antwerp, Belgium. tom.moreels@uza.be
Macken
Elisabeth J
EJ
Roth
Bernard
B
Van Outryve
Marc J
MJ
Pelckmans
Paul A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002432:Cecum / Q000473:pathology*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D020685:Colonoscopes; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies