PROPER SELECTION OF COLONOSCOPE ACCORDING TO GENDER, AGE AND BMI OF THE PATIENT

Background and Aim: Various types of colonoscope are available for total colonoscopy, including those with variable stiffness (VS) and/or magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI). Factors related to the patient, such as gender, age and body mass index (BMI), also affect the degree of technical difficulty associated with the procedure. The present study investigated, using retrospective analyses, which type of colonoscope was appropriate, in relation to gender, age and BMI, in order to overcome procedural difficulties. Methods: Three types of colonoscope (CF‐240I, fixed stiffness type; CF‐240AI, VS type; CF‐240DI, VS type with MEI) were used for a total of 433 consecutive patients who underwent total colonoscopy by five experienced endoscopists at Tokai University Hospital from August 2001 to August 2003. Cases with a history of abdominal surgery, requests by physicians for a particular type of colonoscope, or sedation during the procedure were excluded. Age, gender, body height and weight, and cecal intubation time (primary endpoint) were recorded. Results: Use of the VS scope resulted in a shorter intubation time in the subgroups of female, younger (age