Endoscopic management of failed colonoscopy in clinical practice: To change endoscopist, instrument, or both?

Abstract

Background and aims: Caecal intubation fails up to 20% of colonoscopy in clinical practice. We aimed to assess whether (1) in patients with a prior incomplete colonoscopy with a standard adult colonoscope, a subsequent caecal intubation may be achieved with the same instrument; (2) there are factors predicting a repeated unsuccessful colonoscopy; and (3) how frequently completion can be further achieved by shifting to a standard gastroscope. Materials and methods: Data of patients with a previously failed bowel examination referred to our community hospital for a further colonoscopy were reviewed. When caecal intubation still failed with standard colonoscope, complete colonoscopy was usually attempted by shifting to a gastroscope. Results: Overall, 451 patients with a prior colonoscopy were considered. By using a standard colonoscope, caecal intubation rate was achieved in 285 out of 296 patients with prior complete examination and in 121 out of 155 patients with a prior failed colonoscopy (96.3% vs. 78.1%, p∈