[Conventional colonoscopy vs. cap-assisted colonoscopy: there are differences in colonoscopy performance?]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Colorectal Cancer Screening

Background:

• Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer diagnosis.
• Inconsistent polyp and adenoma detection rates highlight the need for improved techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic performance of conventional colonoscopy (CC) and cap-assisted colonoscopy (CAC) in detecting adenomas.
• To evaluate differences in procedural efficiency and detection rates between CC and CAC.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted.
• 131 patients were randomized to either CC (n=64) or CAC (n=67).
• Diagnostic performance and procedural times were compared.

Main Results:

• Cap-assisted colonoscopy (CAC) demonstrated significantly shorter cecal intubation times (6 min vs. 7.5 min, p=0.005).
• CAC was associated with a higher probability of ileum intubation (RR = 1.62; 1.21-2.17).
• No statistically significant differences were observed in adenoma detection rates (RR: 1.62; 1.21-2.17) or polyp detection rates (RR: 1.07; 0.602-1.919) between CC and CAC.

Conclusions:

• Cap-assisted colonoscopy (CAC) improves procedural efficiency with shorter cecal intubation and increased ileum intubation probability.
• Adenoma detection rates were comparable between CAC and conventional colonoscopy (CC).
• A non-significant trend for increased adenoma detection in the right colon was noted with CAC.