Background and study aims: Gastroenterological endoscopists are instructed to bring the target to the 6-o'clock
position when they take a biopsy specimen, use a snare, or cut a target organ. This
action is performed primarily by rotating the shaft of the endoscopic insertion tube,
which can be difficult in some situations when existing endoscopic methods are used.
We previously described a method for optimal rotation of the endoscopic insertion
tube shaft, called the loop-forming method (LFM). The present study aimed to validate
this procedure and confirm the usefulness of the LFM for leftward rotation of the
shaft.
Participants and methods: The LFM was specifically taught to 28 gastroenterological endoscopists, and the angle
of rotation was measured before and after they received instruction in this method.
Results: The LFM significantly increased the average angle of leftward rotation from 266°
to 327°. Moreover, whereas the instrument channel inlet tended to move away from the
right hand of an operator using a conventional endoscopy method, it remained closely
accessible to the right hand of an examiner using the LFM.
Conclusions: The LFM has the potential to make endoscopic procedures easier and safer.
