A randomized controlled trial of comparison on time and rate of cecal and termianl Ileal intubation according to adult-colonoscope length: intermediate versus long.

Abstract

For a complete colonoscopic examination, a high intubation rate and a short

intubation time have been demanded to colonoscopists, if possible. The aim of the

present study was to compare these examination parameters, intubation time and

rate, according to the length of colonoscope. A total of 507 healthy Korean

subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: intermediate length

adult-colonoscope (n=254) and long length adult-colonoscope (n=253). There were

significant differences in cecal intubation time and in terminal ileal intubation

rate according to the length of the colonoscope. Time-to-cecal intubation was

shorter for the intermediate-scope group than for the long-scope group (234.2 +/-

115.0 sec vs 280.7 +/- 135.0 sec, P < 0.001). However, the success rate of

terminal ileal intubation was higher in the long-scope group than in the

intermediate-scope group (95.3% vs 84.3%, P < 0.001). There were no significant

differences in other colonoscopic parameters between the two groups. The

intermediate length adult-colonoscope decreased the time to reach the cecum,

whereas the long-scope showed a success rate of terminal ileal intubation. These

findings suggest that it is reasonable to prepare and use these two types of

colonoscope appropriate to the needs of the patient and examination, instead of

employing only one type of colonoscope.