Does Position Change During Colonoscope Withdrawal Improve Detection?

In two previous crossover tandem studies, rotating patients to different positions during colonoscope withdrawal increased polyp detection. In this system, the right colon is examined in the left lateral decubitus position, the transverse colon in the supine position, and the descending and sigmoid colons in the right lateral decubitus position. These positions facilitate gas distention of these segments.

In the current study, investigators randomized 388 patients to colonoscopy with a standardized position change protocol, as described above, and 388 patients to colonoscopy with usual care. Withdrawal time included the time for position change but not the time for interventions.

Adenoma detection rate and polyp detection rate did not differ …