Learning curves for colonoscopy: a prospective evaluation of gastroenterology fellows at a single center.
OBJECTIVE
Colonoscopy training programs and the minimal experience with colonoscopy required to be considered technically competent are not well established. The aim of this study was to determine the colonoscopy learning curves and factors associated with this difficult procedure at a single center.


METHODS
A total of 3,243 colonoscopies were performed by 12 first-year gastroenterology fellows, and various clinical factors were assessed prospectively for 22 months. Acquisition of competence (success rate) was evaluated based on two objective criteria: (i) the adjusted completion rate (>90%) and (ii) cecal intubation time (<20 minutes).


RESULTS
The overall success rate in reaching the cecum in less than 20 minutes was 72.8%. The cecal intubation time was 9.34+/-4.13 minutes (mean+/-SD). Trainees' skill at performing cecal intubation in <20 minutes reached the requisite standard of competence after 200 procedures. Cecal intubation time decreased significantly from 11.3 to 9.4 minutes after 100 procedures and improved continuously thereafter. Female patients and advanced patient age (over 60 years) were associated with prolonged cecal intubation time (>20 minutes). Surgery of the uterus and ovaries was significantly correlated with delayed cecal intubation time, but not after sufficient colonoscopy experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The minimum number of procedures to reach technical competence was 200. The cecal intubation time was longer in female and older patients.
Chung
Jae Il
JI
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
Kim
Nayoung
N
Um
Min Sik
MS
Kang
Kyung Phil
KP
Lee
Donghun
D
Na
Jong Chun
JC
Lee
Eun Sil
ES
Chung
Yeon Mu
YM
Won
Ji Yeon
JY
Lee
Kwang Ho
KH
Nam
Tek Man
TM
Lee
Jung Hun
JH
Choi
Hyun Chul
HC
Lee
Sang Hyub
SH
Park
Young Soo
YS
Hwang
Jin Hyuk
JH
Kim
Jin-Wook
JW
Jeong
Sook-Hyang
SH
Lee
Dong Ho
DH