COLONOSCOPY WITH THE 3D NAVIGATION SYSTEM SCOPEPILOT VERSUS STANDARD COLONOSCOPY

Aims:

The successful coecal intubation is a challenge but also a quality indicator in colonoscopy. Loop formation can complicate the advancement of the endoscope or even prevent reaching the coecum. The 3D navigation system SCOPEPILOT by Pentax allows a real time position monitoring of the endoscope during colonoscopy and should facilitate the intubation of the coecum. The aim of this study was to compare the coecal intubation time with and without SCOPEPILOT.

Methods:

In 2017 we examined 204 patients with an indication for a colonoscopy and randomized them to either colonscopy with SCOPEPILOT or standard colonoscopy. Five endoscopists (two learner and three experienced endoscopists) performed the examinations. The time until intubation of the coecum was measured, the quality of the bowel preparation rated and the subjective benefit for the endoscopist during the examination registered. In case of looping of the endoscope the type of loop was documented.

Results:

The average age was 61 years in both groups. The quality of bowel preparation was similiar as well (2.49 vs. 2.76). The coecum was reached in all examinations. The time until sucessful intubation of the coecum was in the standard group 8.99 min (± 4.9) whereas with the SCOPEPILOT the coecum was reached in 6.33 min ((± 3.86), which was significant faster (p < 0.005). Especially the two less experienced endoscopists reported an earlier recognition and easier characterization of looping. The sigma-N-loop was the most common loop followed by an alpha-loop.

Conclusions:

With the 3D navigation system SCOPEPILOT a significant faster intubation of the coecum is possible. An earlier recognition and characterization of looping which results in a more effective solving of the loop seems to be the reason. Especially for beginners and in technical difficult colonoscopy the SCOPEPILOT can be an useful tool and should be considered.