Brief Article
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Mar 16, 2013; 5(3): 117-121
Published online Mar 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i3.117
Clinical usefulness of single-balloon endoscopy in patients with previously incomplete colonoscopy
Kiyonori Kobayashi, Miyuki Mukae, Taishi Ogawa, Kaoru Yokoyama, Miwa Sada, Wasaburo Koizumi
Kiyonori Kobayashi, Miyuki Mukae, Taishi Ogawa, Kaoru Yokoyama, Miwa Sada, Wasaburo Koizumi, Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 252-0380, Japan
Author contributions: All authors had contributed equally to this work, and were in agreement with the contents of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Kiyonori Kobayashi, MD, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Minami-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-0380, Japan. koba-eus@kitasato-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-42-7489111 Fax: +81-42-7498690
Received: September 13, 2012
Revised: December 25, 2012
Accepted: January 23, 2013
Published online: March 16, 2013
Processing time: 183 Days and 23.1 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of single-balloon endoscopy (SBE) in patients in whom a colonoscope was technically difficult to insert previously.

METHODS: The study group comprised 15 patients (8 men and 7 women) who underwent SBE for colonoscopy (30 sessions). The number of SBE sessions was 1 in 7 patients, 2 in 5 patients, 3 in 1 patient, 4 in 1 patient, and 6 in 1 patient. In all patients, total colonoscopy was previously unsuccessful. The reasons for difficulty in scope passage were an elongated colon in 6 patients, severe intestinal adhesions after open surgery in 4, an elongated colon and severe intestinal adhesions in 2, a left inguinal hernia in 2, and multiple diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon in 1. Three endoscopists were responsible for SBE. The technique for inserting SBE in the colon was basically similar to that in the small intestine. The effectiveness of SBE was assessed on the basis of the success rate of total colonoscopy and the presence or absence of complications. We also evaluated the diagnostic and treatment outcomes of colonoscopic examinations with SBE.

RESULTS: Total colonoscopy was successfully accomplished in all sessions. The mean insertion time to the cecum was 22.9 ± 8.9 min (range 9 to 40). Abnormalities were found during 21 sessions of SBE. The most common abnormality was colorectal polyps (20 sessions), followed by radiation colitis (3 sessions) and diverticular disease of the colon (3 sessions). Colorectal polyps were resected endoscopically in 15 sessions. A total of 42 polyps were resected endoscopically, using snare polypectomy in 32 lesions, hot biopsy in 7 lesions, and endoscopic mucosal resection in 3 lesions. Fifty-six colorectal polyps were newly diagnosed on colonoscopic examination with SBE. Histopathologically, these lesions included 2 intramucosal cancers, 42 tubular adenomas, and 2 tubulovillous adenomas. The mean examination time was 48.2 ± 20.0 min (range 25 to 90). Colonoscopic examination or endoscopic treatment with SBE was not associated with any serious complications.

CONCLUSION: SBE is a useful and safe procedure in patients in whom a colonoscope is technically difficult to insert.

Keywords: Single-balloon endoscopy; Colonoscopy; Difficult to insert; Diagnosis; Endoscopic treatment