Abstract
Background: Recently, the usefulness of the oblique transparent cylinder (OTC) in colonoscopy has been reported. In this study, the efficacy of two newly designed OTCs was evaluated. Methods: Colonoscopy performed by six experienced endoscopists in 1, 005 cases and by one inexperienced endoscopist in 177 cases was analyzed. Short (S) and ultra short (US) cylinders, shorter in length than a conventional long (L) cylinder, were used. Results: The use of OTCs in colonoscopy contributed to a significantly faster insertion into the cecum. The average time to reach the cecum for experienced endoscopists were 12.4±0.3 minutes without cylinder, 9.0±0.3 minutes with US cylinder, 8.5 ± 0.4 minutes with S cylinder and 0.9 ± 0.8 minutes with L cylinder respectively. The visual field and handling of the endoscope were more improved with the S cylinder than the conventional L cylinder. On the other hand, with the L cylinder, the success rate of one inexperienced endoscopist for total colonoscopy reached more than 90% and mean insertion time to reach the cecum was 10.4±1.8 minutes seven months later. Both the success rate and average insertion time for the inexperienced endoscopist were satisfactory considering the rather short learning period. Conclusion: OTCs were effective in reducing the insertion time. The use of the S cylinder overcome some of the disadvantages of the L cylinder, however, the L cylinder was helpful for improving the technique of an inexperienced endoscopist.
