Documenting the use of fluoroscopy during colonoscopic examination: a prospective study

To determine the patterns of fluoroscopy use during colonoscopy, 500 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopic examination were studied over a 6-month period. The procedures were performed on 195 patients by three gastroenterologists and on 305 patients by three colon and rectal surgeons. The study group comprised 237 women and 263 men aged an average of 62 years (range, 12-90 years). The results revealed that fluoroscopy was used during 37% of colonoscopic examinations. The most common indications for fluoroscopy were the treatment of sigmoid loops (42%) and the localization of the colonoscope tip (51%), totaling 93% of 312 fluoroscopic checks. The suspected position of the colonoscope tip was inaccurate in 15% (47/312) of fluoroscopic checks. The most common bowel location of the colonoscope tip during the fluoroscopic checks was the hepatic flexure (24%), followed by the cecum (21%). In all, 53% (166/312) of fluoroscopic checks involved the right colon. The selective use of fluoroscopy during more difficult cases was emphasized by the significantly longer time required for the procedure (36 vs 26 min) and the significantly lower cecal intubation rate (79% vs 99%). In summary, fluoroscopy is deemed to be a safe, reliable technique that facilitates the completion of difficult colonoscopic examinations. It is especially helpful in the treatment of sigmoid loops and in the precise localization of the position of the colonoscope tip, especially during negotiation of the right colon.