“Passive-bending colonoscope” significantly improves cecal intubation in difficult cases

Abstract

Colonoscopy sometimes causes pain during insertion, especially in difficult cases. Over-insufflation of air causes elongation or acute angulations of the colon, making passage of the scope difficult and causing pain. We previously reported a sedative-risk-free colonoscopy insertion technique, namely, “Water Navigation Colonoscopy”. Complete air suction after water infusion not only improves the vision, but also makes water flow down to the descending colon, while the sigmoid colon collapses and shortens. While non-sedative colonoscopy can be carried out without pain in most cases, some patients do complain of pain. Most of these patients have abnormal colon morphology, and the pain is caused while negotiating the “hairpin” bends of the colon. The “hairpin” bends of the colon should be negotiated by gently pushing the full-angled colonoscope. The proximal 10-20 cm from the angulated part of the conventional colonoscope is stiff, with a wide turning radius, therefore, a conventional colonoscope cannot be negotiated through the “hairpin” bends of the colon without stretching them and causing pain. The “passive-bending colonoscope” has a flexible tip with a narrow turning radius, so that the scope can be negotiated through the “hairpin” bends of the colon with a minimum turning radius and minimal discomfort. Therefore, the intubation and pain-reducing performance of the “passive-bending colonoscope” was assessed in difficult cases.

Key Words: Computed tomographic colonography; Water navigation colonoscopy; Passive-bending colonoscope; Cecal intubation

INTRODUCTION

Colonoscopy sometimes causes pain during insertion, especially in difficult cases. Over-insufflation of air causes elongation or acute angulations of the colon, making passage of the scope difficult and causing pain.

Administration of sedatives masks pain, which is a warning sign of perforation. Therefore, we developed a sedative-risk-free colonoscopy insertion technique, namely, “Water Navigation Colonoscopy”[1,2] (Figure 1). Complete air suction after water infusion not only improves the visibility, but also makes the water flow down to the descending colon, while the sigmoid colon collapses and shortens. The Water Methods were reported to reduce pain and make it possible to perform colonoscopy without the use of sedatives[3]. While non-sedative “Water Navigation Colonoscopy” can be carried out without pain in most cases, some patients do complain of pain. Most of these patients have abnormal colon morphology, and the pain is caused while negotiating the “hairpin” bends of the colon[4,5]. The “hairpin” bends of the colon should be negotiated by gently pushing the full-angled colonoscope. The proximal 10-20 cm from the angulated part of the conventional colonoscope is stiff, with a wide turning radius, therefore, a conventional colonoscope cannot be negotiated easily through the “hairpin” bends of the colon without stretching them or causing pain (Figure 2).

Figure 1 Water Navigation Colonoscopy. Red arrows mean buoyancy; Green arrows mean gravity of water; White arrows mean gravity of endoscope. UPD: Endoscope position detecting unit.

Figure 2 Conventional scope stretches the “hairpin” bend and causes pain. Red arrows mean the tension of colonoscope; Brown arrow shows that the tip of colonoscope stretches in the colonic lumen after passing the hairpin bend.

“Passive-bending colonoscope,” PCF-PQ260 (Olympus Co, Tokyo, Japan), has a flexible tip with a narrow turning radius, so that the scope can be easily negotiated through the “hairpin” bends of the colon, with minimal discomfort[6,7] (Figure 3).

Figure 3 During negotiation of “hairpin” bend of the splenic flexure, “passive- bending colonoscope” does not stretch the bend. Green arrow shows the radius of colonoscope. Passive bending colonoscope has smaller one.

CASE REPORT

The subjects were 11 patients, including 2 cases of cecal intubation failure and 9 cases of difficult colonoscopy with the “conventional colonoscope,” PCF-240Z Olympus, who underwent a second colonoscopy with the “passive-bending colonoscope,” PCF-PQ260, more than 7 d after the first procedure. All colonoscopies were performed by the same physician, Mizukami T. Colonoscopy was performed according to the method of “Water Navigation Colonoscopy”. The cecal intubation time was measured and the patients were asked to report their level of discomfort after the colonoscopy on a visual analog scale of 1 to 5, as follows: grade 1, no discomfort; grade 2, strange feeling; grade 3, distension of the abdomen; grade 4, tolerable pain; grade 5, intolerable pain. Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) was performed for morphological evaluation. Cecal intubation was accomplished successfully in all cases and the intubation time was significantly shortened with the use of the “passive-bending colonoscope” (n = 9) (10.1 ± 3.2 min vs 5.1 ± 2.8 min, P < 0.05). The average self-reported pain score was also significantly lower in the “passive-bending colonoscope” group (3.7 ± 0.6 vs 2.3 ± 0.9, P < 0.01). CTC showed that every patient had “hairpin” bends of the colon. PCF-PQ260 significantly shortened the cecal intubation time and reduced the pain score in difficult cases, and CTC showed that every case had “hairpin” bends of the colon. This showed that the “passive-bending colonoscope” can be negotiated more easily through the “hairpin” bends of the colon, with its minimum turning radius. Use of the “passive-bending colonoscope” shortens the cecal intubation time and reduces pain in difficult cases.

Case 1

This patient (78-year-old female) had sigmoid malrotation and loops at the splenic flexure. The cecal intubation time was 11 min (conventional), and 6 min (passive bending). The level of discomfort was 4 (conventional), and 2 (passive bending, Figure 4A).

Figure 4 Sigmoid malrotation and loops, malrotation and mesocolon descendens, ascendens of paitents. A: 78 years old female has sigmoid malrotation and loops at splenic flexure; B: 70 years old female has sigmoid malrotation and mesocolon descendens; C: 70 years old male has mesocolon descendens and ascendens.

Case 2

This patient (70-year-old female) had sigmoid malrotation and mesocolon descendens. The 1st cecal intubation (conventional) failed because of the “hairpin” bends at the splenic flexure. The 2nd cecal intubation (passive bending) was accomplished in 11 min. The level of discomfort was 4 (conventional), and 2 (passive bending, Figure 4B).

Case 3

This patient (70-year-old female) had mesocolon descendens and ascendens. The 1st cecal intubation (conventional) failed because of the “hairpin” bends in the descending colon. The 2nd cecal intubation (passive bending) was accomplished in 11 min. The level of discomfort was 4 (conventional), and 2 (passive bending) (Figure 4C).

DISCUSSION

Cases with difficult cecal intubation have looping and “hairpin” bends of the colon[4,5]. There are some reports suggesting that the use of a variable-stiffness colonoscope or a pediatric colonoscope can reduce pain and facilitate intubation[8,9].

In conventional colonoscopes, the 10-20 cm segment proximal to the angulated part is stiff, which causes stretching and pain during negotiation of the scope through the “hairpin” bends of the colon. The “passive-bending colonoscope” has a flexible tip with a narrow turning radius and can be more easily negotiated through the “hairpin” bends of the colon, with its minimum turning radius. Use of this scope in difficult cases was associated with a significantly shortened cecal intubation time and reduced pain score. CTC showed that every case had “hairpin” bends and loops of the colon, indicating that the “passive-bending colonoscope” could be negotiated through the “hairpin” bends of the colon relatively easily, with its minimum turning radius. In conclusion, use of the “passive-bending colonoscope” with “Water Navigation Colonoscopy” significantly shortens the cecal intubation time and reduces pain in difficult cases.