Factors predict prolonged colonoscopy before the procedure: prospective registry study

Colonoscopy difficulty and procedure time can vary between cases, posing challenges for daily scheduling in endoscopy units. In the literature, cecal intubation time (CIT) is commonly used to assess colonoscopy difficulty, yet there is debate regarding the factors influencing CIT. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the factors influencing CIT.

In this single-center, prospective, observational study, 915 patients who underwent colonoscopy between July 2023 and April 2024 were evaluated. Failure to achieve cecal intubation due to poor bowel preparation and a history of colorectal surgery were considered as exclusion criteria. Patients with a CIT ≥ 11 min or those with technically failed cecal intubation were categorized into the prolonged CIT subgroup, while those with a CIT < 11 min were analyzed in the normal CIT subgroup. Patients were evaluated based on demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, and colonoscopy results.

A total of 902 patients included in the final analysis. The median age was 55 years and 55.4% of them were women. The cecal intubation rate was 97.5% (892 patients). The polyp, adenoma, and malignancy detection rate were 27.4, 20.7, and 1.9%, respectively. Median cecal intubation time (CIT) was 6 min (Interquartile range: 4–8). In multivariate analysis, body mass index ≤ 18.5, previous abdominal surgery, increased Wexner Constipation Score, and lesser endoscopist experience were associated with prolonged CIT.

BMI, previous abdominal surgery, severity of constipation, and the experience of endoscopist may affect CIT. Considering these factors during daily planning in the endoscopy unit can lead to more efficient facility utilization.