Trainee participation and adenoma detection rates during screening colonoscopies

To evaluate whether participation of a gastroenterology trainee had an impact on adenoma detection rate (ADR) during screening colonoscopies performed with standard-definition colonoscopes (SD-C) versus high-definition colonoscopes (HD-C).

ADR is an established quality indicator of colonoscopy and efforts to improve ADR have led to technological advancements including HD-C that have a greater angle of view and produce an image with higher pixel density compared with SD-C. Moreover, other factors like trainee participation have been shown to improve adenoma detection.

This is a retrospective review of screening colonoscopies performed during 2 different time periods by 4 experienced endoscopists with or without trainee participation. There are 2 arms of this study, based on whether screening colonoscopy was performed using SD-C or HD-C. Detailed review of endoscopy and histopathologic reports was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed and odds ratio and incidence rate ratios were calculated to adjust for numerous factors.

No significant differences were seen with trainee participation in the SD-C arm of the study. In the HD-C arm, the total number, and the proportion of subjects with: adenomas, diminutive adenomas, and right-sided adenomas were significantly higher with trainee participation.

Trainee participation significantly improved the overall adenoma detection, specifically diminutive adenoma and right-sided adenoma detection, but only when colonoscopies were performed with HD-C. The improved image quality and resolution provided by HD-C, coupled with enhanced visual scanning an additional pair of eyes provides, may account for the differential impact of trainee participation on ADR.