Efficacy of cap-assisted colonoscopy according to lesion location and endoscopist training level

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of cap-assisted colonoscopy(CAC) for detection of colorectal polyps and adenomas according to the lesion location and endoscopist training level.METHODS: Patients 20 years or older, who underwent their first screening colonoscopy in a single tertiary center from May 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent either CAC or standard colonoscopy(SC), and all of the procedures were performed by 11 endoscopists(8 trainees and 3 experts). All procedures were performed with highdefinition colonoscopes and narrow band imaging. The eight trainees had experiences of performing 150 to 500 colonoscopies, and the three experts had experiences of performing more than 3000 colonoscopies. A 4-mmlong transparent cap was attached to the end of a colonoscope in the CAC group. We retrospectively evaluated the number of polyps and adenomas, polyp detection rate(PDR), and the number of adenomas and adenoma detection rate(ADR) according to the lesion location and endoscopist training level between CAC and SC. We also evaluated the number of polyps and adenomas according to their size between CAC and SC.RESULTS: Overall, PDR and ADR using CAC were significantly higher than those using SC for both whole colon(48.5% vs 40.7%, P = 0.012; 35.7% vs 28.3%, P = 0.012) and right-side colon(35.3% vs 26.6%, P = 0.002; 27.0% vs 16.9%, P < 0.001). The number of polyps and adenomas per patient using CAC was significantly higher than that using SC for both the whole colon(1.07 ± 1.59 vs 0.82 ± 1.31, P = 0.008; 0.72 ± 1.32 vs 0.50 ± 1.01, P = 0.003) and right-side colon(0.66 ± 1.18 vs 0.41 ± 0.83, P < 0.001; 0.46 ± 0.97 vs 0.25 ± 0.67, P < 0.001). In the trainee group, the PDR and ADR using CAC were significantly higher than those using SC for both the whole colon(46.7% vs 39.7%, P = 0.040; 33.9% vs 26.0%, P =0.012) and right-side colon(34.2% vs 26.5%, P = 0.015; 25.3% vs 15.9%, P = 0.001). In the expert group, the PDR and ADR using CAC were significantly higher than those using SC only for the right-side colon(42.1% vs 27.0%, P =0.035; 36.8% vs 21.0%, P = 0.020).CONCLUSION: CAC is more effective than SC for detection of colorectal polyps and adenomas, especially when performed by trainees and when the lesions are located in the right-side colon.

Long-term efficacy and safety of cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy with long injection needle for internal hemorrhoids

BACKGROUND Hemorrhoids are a common anal condition and can afflict an individual at any age.Epidemiological survey results in China show that the prevalence of anorectal diseases is as high as 50.1%among which 98.08%of patients have hemorrhoid symptoms.AIM To assess long-term efficacy and safety of cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy(CAES)with long injection needle for internal hemorrhoids.METHODS This study was retrospective.Data from patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids treated with CAES using endoscopic long injection needle from April 2016 to December 2019 were collected.Patients were telephoned and followed at two time points,December 2020 and 2021,to evaluate the improvements in symptoms,complications,recurrence,and satisfaction.RESULTS Two hundreds and one patients with internal hemorrhoids underwent CAES with the long needle.The first median follow-up was performed 33 mo postoperatively.Symptoms improved in 87.5%of patients after the first CAES.Efficacy did not decrease with treatment time extension.Fifty-four patients underwent colonoscopy after the first CAES treatment of which 21 underwent CAES again,and 4 underwent hemorrhoidectomy.At the first follow-up,62.7%of patients had both improved hemorrhoid grades and symptoms,and 27.4%had a significant improvement in both parameters.At the second follow-up,61.7%of the patients showed satisfactory improvement in their hemorrhoid grade and symptoms when compared with pre-surgery values.90%of patients reported CAES was painless,and 85%were satisfied/very satisfied with CAES treatment outcomes.CONCLUSION The present study based on the largest sample size reported the long-term follow-up of the treatment for internal hemorrhoid with the CAES using endoscopic long injection needle.Our findings demonstrate that CAES should be a micro-invasive endoscopic technology yields satisfactory long-term efficacy and safety.

Efficacy of cap-assisted endoscopy for routine examining the ampulla of Vater

AIM: To determine the efficacy of a cap-assisted endoscopy (CAE) to completely visualize the ampulla of Vater (AV) in patients failed by conventional endoscopy. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 120 patients > 20 years of ages who visited the Health Promotion Center of Chungbuk National University Hospital for conscious sedation esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as a screening test from July to October, 2011. First, forward-viewing endoscopy was performed with reasonable effort using a push and pull method. We considered complete visualization of the AV when we could observe the entire AV including the orifice clearly, and reported the observation as complete or incomplete (partial or not found at all). Second, in cases of complete failure of the observation, an additional AV examination was conducted by attaching a short cap (D-201-10704, Olympus Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) to the tip of a forward-viewing endoscope. Third, if the second method failed, we replaced the short cap with a long cap (MH-593, Olympus Medical Systems) and performed a re-examination of the AV. RESULTS: Conventional endoscopy achieved complete visualization of the AV in 97 of the 120 patients (80.8%) but was not achieved in 23 patients (19.2%). Age (mean ± SD) and gender [male (%)] were not significantly different between the complete observation and the incomplete observation groups. Additional short CAE was performed in patients in whom we could not completely visualize the AV. This group included 13 patients (10.9%) with partial observation of the AV and 10 (8.3%) in which the AV was not found. Short CAE permitted a complete observation of the AV in 21 of the 23 patients (91.3%). Patients in whom visualization of the AV failed with short CAE had satisfactory outcomes by replacing the short cap with a long cap. The additional time for CAE took an average of 141 ± 88 s. There were no complications and no significant mucosal trauma. CONCLUSION: CAE is safe to use as a salvage method to achieve complete visualization of the AV when a regular EGD examination fails.

Novel use of cap-assisted enteroscopy for detection of colorectal tumor in a patient with incarcerated inguinal hernia

Multiple reports have documented unsuspected ingui-nal hernias which result in difficulties during the colo-noscopic examinations of patients. In most cases, the colonoscopy can be delayed until a surgical consult has further evaluated the inguinal hernia. This case report documents a patient who required a colonoscopy but surgical intervention for the detected inguinal hernia was not appropriate due to his co-morbid medical con-ditions. With the use of the combination of an entero-scope fitted with a cap and fluoroscopy, the inguinal hernia was able to be negotiated and the diagnosis of a cecal carcinoma was able to be confirmed.

Hypertrophic Anal Papillotomy by Transparent Cap-Assisted Endoscopic Hot Snare Resection

Background/Aim: Conventional treatment for hypertrophic anal papillae (HAP) has effectiveness and safety concerns. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection for the treatment of HAP. Methods: Endoscopic and clinical data of patients treated with transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection for HAP at the Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University from June 2019 to June 2021, were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 56 patients with HAP were treated with transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection, including 53 patients (94.6%) with single hypertrophic anal papillae and 3 patients (5.4%) with multiple HAP;51 patients (83.6%) with basal diameter <5 mm and 10 patients (16.4%) with basal diameter ≥5 mm. The procedures that were performed together with transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection for HAP treatment included total colon examination in 56 cases (100%), endoscopic polypectomy in 20 cases (35.7%), endoscopic sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids in 29 cases (51.8%), and endoscopic rubber band ligation for hemorrhoids in 11 cases (19.6%). No patient experienced bleeding during or after HAP with transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection. Pain level was evaluated by the visual analog score (VAS) method. 52 patients (92.9%) did not have pain and 4 patients (7.1%) had mild pain 3 days after surgery. At a postoperative follow-up of 2 to 18 months, patient satisfaction with transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection for HAP treatment was 100% (56/56). Conclusion: Transparent cap-assisted endoscopic hot snare resection is safe and effective for treating HAP.

New device to implement the adenoma detection rate

It is well-known that colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colon cancer prevention.Although performed by experienced endoscopists,the matter remains of polyps missed during this examination.The reasons may include the size,shape and location of the lesions.Many colorectal cancer screening programs have been proposed to increase the adenoma detection rate.The substantial difference between these methods is whether the improvement in vision,particularly the detection of irregularities of the mucosa,is inside the endoscope electronic components(magnification,wideangle vision,narrow band imaging,flexible spectral imaging colour enhancement,i-Scan) or outside the same,by the use of specific caps(EndoC uff,EndoV ision,Endo Rings).Endocuff is a plastic device mounted at the end of the scope with a constant vision field of the entire colon.The aim of this study is to explore the potential clinical and technical benefits of Endocuff.