The completion rate of colonoscopy in normal daily practice: factors associated with failure

Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic procedure for screening as well as for patients presenting with complaints. The completion of a colonoscopy is defined as cecal intubation. A large single center study was done in order to evaluate the completion rate of colonoscopy and identify reasons for failure.

We reviewed all consecutive endoscopies of the lower digestive tract done over a period of 15 years by 2 endoscopists. The main outcome measure was a successful cecal intubation.

14,139 consecutive colonoscopies were done. Overall cecal intubation was successful in 11,787 procedures (83.3%). Three hundred and sixty-one of the non-successful procedures were due to insufficient colon cleansing, and no significant abnormalities were seen in 362 procedures. In the remaining 1,629 endoscopies, significant diagnoses were made. The presence of colorectal cancer, diverticula and inflammatory bowel disease were significant findings in non-successful procedures.

In normal daily practice, colonoscopy is completed in 83.3% of the procedures. Reasons for failure are obstructing tumors, diverticula and insufficient colon cleansing.