Robotic Colonoscopy and Beyond: Insights into Modern Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Technology
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Conventional colonoscopy (CC) is the gold standard for polyp diagnosis but faces patient reluctance due to invasiveness and discomfort.
• Delays in CC after positive fecal tests increase risks of advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer (CRC).
• Sedation for CC can lead to complications, further limiting its use as a first-line CRC screening strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical applications of robotic colonoscopy (RC), computed tomographic colonography (CTC), and colon capsule endoscopy (CCE).
• To compare the advantages and disadvantages of various endoscopic procedures for lower gastrointestinal examination.
• To highlight the potential of RC in overcoming limitations of conventional colonoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature on RC, CTC, and CCE.
• Discussion of clinical applications, benefits, and drawbacks of each modality.
• Focus on robotic colonoscopy's adaptability and patient experience.

Main Results:

• Robotic colonoscopes demonstrate dexterity and adaptability, enabling virtually painless colon examinations.
• Alternatives like barium enema (BE) and CTC require further investigation for suspicious findings.
• RC, CTC, and CCE present options when CC is not feasible or preferred.

Conclusions:

• Robotic colonoscopy shows promise for improving patient compliance in colorectal cancer screening.
• RC offers a less invasive and potentially more comfortable alternative to conventional colonoscopy.
• Further evaluation of RC, CTC, and CCE is warranted to optimize their roles in gastrointestinal diagnostics.