Single-balloon-assisted colonoscopy in patients with previously failed colonoscopy.
BACKGROUND
Despite advances in training and equipment, complete colonoscopy fails, even in experienced hands, in up to 10% of cases. Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) has been successfully used to complete colonoscopy in these patients. Single-balloon endoscopy (SBE) has become established for small-bowel enteroscopy. However, it has yet to be studied for use in colonoscopy.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy, performance, and safety of single-balloon colonoscopy.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Patients with previously failed conventional colonoscopy.


RESULTS
23 single-balloon colonoscopy procedures were performed in 22 patients: median age 53 (range 19-75) years; 14 females, 8 males. SBE colonoscopy succeeded in cecal intubation in 22 (96%) procedures, with a median total procedure time of 30 (range 20-60) minutes. SBE colonoscopy was normal in 9 cases but resulted in a positive diagnosis in 13 (57%) procedures, including polyps (n = 6), active Crohn's disease (n = 4), Crohn's-related stricture (n = 1), and diverticulosis (n = 2). Seven (30%) procedures were therapeutic including 1 case with balloon dilation and 6 cases with polypectomy. No complications were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited sample size, no direct comparison with double-balloon endoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-balloon-assisted colonoscopy seems a safe and effective method for completing colonoscopy in patients with previously failed or difficult colonoscopy. The outcomes are similar compared with previous studies with DBE colonoscopy in this patient group.
Teshima
Christopher W
CW
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Aktas
Huseyin
H
Haringsma
Jelle
J
Kuipers
Ernst J
EJ
Mensink
Peter B F
PB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020685:Colonoscopes; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult