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Underutilisation of the gastroscope for total colonoscopy in adults: a survey of two European countries

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and study aims

High caecal intubation success rates have been reported with the gastroscope in adults. We surveyed the current use of the gastroscope for total colonoscopy in adults in the UK and Greece.

Methods

A questionnaire was e-mailed to 952 members of the British Society of Gastroenterology (UK) and 478 members of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology (GR), enquiring as to access to a paediatric colonoscope, use of gastroscope for total colonoscopy and estimate of caecal intubation success rate.

Results

Valid replies were 17.4% from UK and 19.7% from GR. The paediatric colonoscope was available to 106/138 (77%) UK and to only 18/86 (21%) GR respondents (p = 0.0002). Of all the UK and GR respondents, 109/138 (79%) and 68/86 (79%), respectively, did not use the gastroscope for total colonoscopy. For the use of the gastroscope for total colonoscopy, 26/29 (89%) UK and 9/18 (50%) GR users did so, while a paediatric colonoscope was also available (p = 0.001), and 3/29 (10.3%) UK and 9/18 (50%) GR users did so, whilst they had no access to a paediatric colonoscope (p = 0.001). Estimated gastroscope caecal intubation success rate was 69% (SD 0.26) UK and 46% (SD 0.36) GR, p = 0.008. Only 37% UK and 28% GR respondents used the gastroscope to examine the left colon.

Conclusions

The gastroscope is underutilised for total colonoscopy in both the UK and Greece. Use of the gastroscope does not appear to be related to lack of access to a paediatric colonoscope in the UK but may be in GR. Gastroscope caecal intubation success rate justifies its use where the colonoscope fails.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Andriani Koumi

    Present address: Department of Gastroenterology, NIMTS Hospital, 11521, Athens, Greece

  2. Evangelos Kalaitzakis

    Present address: Institute of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Euroclinic of Athens, 9 Athanasiadou Street, 11521, Athens, Greece

    Andriani Koumi & Marios Z. Panos

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, University College Hospital, London, NW1 2BU, UK

    Evangelos Kalaitzakis & Alastair Forbes

Authors
  1. Andriani Koumi
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  2. Evangelos Kalaitzakis
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  3. Alastair Forbes
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  4. Marios Z. Panos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marios Z. Panos.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

Questionnaire

  1. 1.

    Name … (not necessary)

  2. 2.

    Age….

  3. 3.

    No. years in GI practice (after specialty qualification) ……..

  4. 4.

    No. colonoscopies per year (nearest 100, or if above 1,000) ……

  5. 5.

    Is a paediatric scope available in your unit? ..................

  6. 6.

    % of your total no. colonoscopies you perform with adult colonoscope ……

    Paediatric … Gastroscope ……

  7. 7.

    Overall % you reach the caecum …..

  8. 8.

    % caecum reached with adult scope ….. % pediatric scope …… % gastroscope ….

  9. 9.

    In which types of cases do you use gastroscope for colonoscopy? ………..

  10. 10.

    If you do use gastroscope for colonoscopy, which are the technical difficulties you encounter? (Y/N) Short scope length …. Multiple patient turns …. Multiple scope rotations ….. Other (which) …………..

  11. 11.

    If you do not use a gastroscope for colonoscopy, which technical difficulties do you think you would encounter if you did? …………………

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Koumi, A., Kalaitzakis, E., Forbes, A. et al. Underutilisation of the gastroscope for total colonoscopy in adults: a survey of two European countries. Int J Colorectal Dis 27, 959–965 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1436-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1436-4

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