Lower gastrointestinal polypectomy competencies in the United Kingdom: a retrospective analysis of Directly Observed Polypectomy Skills (DOPyS)

BACKGROUND

Polypectomy is often the most hazardous part of colonoscopy. There is significant variability in polypectomy training and assessment internationally. DOPyS (Directly Observed Polypectomy Skills) is a validated assessment tool and is used to demonstrate polypectomy competency in the UK. This study aimed to describe the learning curve for polypectomy competency in UK trainees.

METHODS

Retrospective DOPyS data (January 2009 to September 2015) were obtained from the UK Joint Advisory Group (JAG) for intestinal endoscopy training system (JETS) national database. The number of lower gastrointestinal (LGI) procedures, overall cecal intubation rate (CIR), procedure intensity, and time in days to the first DOPyS assessment were recorded, and time to JAG certification was calculated.

RESULTS

4965 DOPyS assessments from 336 trainees were analyzed. Within the study period, 124 and 53 trainees achieved provisional and full colonoscopy certification, respectively. Trainees started formative assessment of polypectomy after > 130 LGI procedures and with a CIR of > 70 %. Within 3 years from the first DOPyS assessment, 94 % of trainees achieved provisional certification, and 50 % full certification. Higher procedure intensity at baseline DOPyS assessment was associated with a higher likelihood of obtaining certification sooner.

CONCLUSION

There is a significant variation in time to competency, and this potentially reflects the time necessary to acquire polypectomy skills. There is a need to start polypectomy training earlier, once sufficient skills, such as tip control, have been achieved to shorten the time to competency. Overall, the CIR could be used as a guide for such technical skills. Increasing exposure to training lists also potentially reduces the time to polypectomy competency.

Endoscopic cuff-assisted colonoscopy versus cap-assisted colonoscopy in adenoma detection: randomized tandem study-DEtection in Tandem Endocuff Cap Trial (DETECT)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Adenoma miss rate during colonoscopy is directly linked to risk of postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer. One of the reasons for missed adenomas is poor visualization of proximal folds during standard colonoscopy withdrawal. Disposable distal attachments such as the plastic cap and Endocuff (Arc Medical Design, Leeds, UK) that hold back folds appear to improve adenoma detection. The primary aim of this study was to compare adenoma detection rates between Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy (EAC) and cap-assisted colonoscopy (CAC).

METHODS

This is a randomized, single-center, tandem colonoscopy trial performed by the same endoscopists on the same day, first with Endocuff Vision (Arc Medical Design, Leeds, UK) followed by cap or vice versa. All procedures were performed by 3 experienced gastroenterology fellows.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-four patients were recruited. Seventy-eight (50.6%) had CAC as their first procedure. Mean patient age was 61 years (male-to-female ratio, 1:1). Adenoma detection rate was significantly higher for EAC when compared to CAC (53% vs 26%, P = .001). Polyp miss rate was significantly lower in EAC (8.4%) compared with CAC (26.1%, P < .001) as was adenoma miss rate (EAC vs CAC, 6%, vs 19%; P = .002) and diminutive adenoma (<5 mm) miss rate in the EAC group (1.8% vs 19.6%, P < .001). However, there was no significant differences in the miss rates for small adenomas (5-9 mm) (3.7% vs 2.9%, P = .69) or adenomas 10 mm or larger (1.6% vs 2.6%, P = .98 ). The mean number of adenomas per procedure was significantly higher with EAC compared with CAC (1.5 vs .8, P < .001). Cecal intubation time was significantly shorter with EAC than CAC (median 6 vs 7 minutes, P = .01). Conversely, withdrawal time (median 10 vs 8 minutes, P = .01) was significantly longer in EAC.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomized, tandem study demonstrates that EAC has a significantly higher adenoma detection rate and lower adenoma miss rate than CAC. Although insertion times were shorter with EAC, procedures were slightly more uncomfortable, and the cuff had to be removed in a small number of cases. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03254498.).

Electronic Imaging in Colonoscopy: Clinical Applications and Future Prospects

Electronic chromoendoscopy (EC) is an equipment-based technology which could be easily activated by push of a button. There are four EC techniques available for use at present: narrow band imaging (NBI), i-Scan, flexible spectral chromoendoscopy and blue laser imaging. Out of the four techniques, NBI has been extensively evaluated for the detection and characterization of dysplasia in colonic polyps and dysplasia associated with inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, we will focus on the new developments and applications of EC.

Endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease when and why

Endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is useful to exclude other aetiologies, differentiate between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), and define the extent and activity of inflammation. Ileocolonoscopy is used for monitoring of the disease, which in turn helps to optimize the management. It plays a key role in the surveillance of UC for dysplasia or neoplasia and assessment of post operative CD. Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy are increasingly used in patients with CD. Therapeutic applications relate to stricture dilatation and dysplasia resection. The endoscopist’s role is vital in the overall management of IBD.