Evaluation of a novel colonoscope offering flexibility adjuster – a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Although colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, colonic looping may make complete colonoscopy challenging. Commonly available stiffening device colonoscopy has been described as helpful but not effective enough to prevent looping. In this context the effect on cecal intubation time and rate was described differently in various studies and in some studies had no impact on cecal intubation time at all. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a novel colonoscope with gradual stiffness (Fujifilm EC760R-V/I- flexibility adjuster, Tokyo, Japan) using four significantly different grades of stiffness can be an alternative to established devices in terms of loop prevention, cecal intubation rate and time, adverse events, and patient/examiner satisfaction. METHODS: Consecutive patients without previous colorectal surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Colonoscopy was performed with the new colonoscope and performance characteristics, including time to cecum, withdrawal time, total examination time, and patient and endoscopist satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: Among 180 consecutive procedures, 98.3% of examinations were complete to the cecum. The endoscopic flexibility adjuster was used in 150 of 180 cases (83.3%). Overall, the device was scored by the examiner as helpful to prevent looping in 146 of the 150 cases (97.7%). Mean cecal intubation time was 6.5 min, with 35% of examination performed in under 5 min with a mean withdrawal time of 7 min. Mean total examination time was 18 min. Patient satisfaction was rated as high in all examinations performed. CONCLUSION: The new flexibility adjuster colonoscope was shown to be helpful in loop prevention, allowed for fast and successful cecal intubation, and led to a high rate of patients satisfaction.