A linear sigmoid colon passage method in colonoscopy

A previous study revealed loop formation of the colonoscope in the sigmoid colon in 79% of patients. Colonoscope looping in the sigmoid colon is considered to cause abdominal pain and intestinal perforation. We discovered a phenomenon whereby the rectosigmoid junction becomes linear when the patient is moved from a left lateral to left semiprone position and the colonoscope tip can be readily inserted into the sigmoid colon. Therefore, this phenomenon was applied to our conventional insertion method to determine whether the colonoscope looping rate in the sigmoid colon can be reduced. Thus our new insertion method could reduce the colonoscope looping rate in the sigmoid colon. Our new insertion method may allow safer colonoscope insertion than our conventional insertion method.