title: Learning curves for colonoscopy: a prospective evaluation of gastroenterology fellows at a single center.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Nayoung
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min Sik
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Kyung Phil
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Donghun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Eun Sil
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yeon Mu
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ji Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Kwang Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tek Man
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Jung Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sang Hyub
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Jin-Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sook-Hyang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Dong Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee