Endoscopes Really Do Improve Over Time

Comparisons of adenoma detection between Olympus H180 and H190 series colonoscopes have largely shown no difference, and both instruments use high-definition optics.

In a remarkable effort from six centers in Europe, 850 patients at above-average risk for colorectal cancer participated in a tandem colonoscopy study. They were randomized to undergo colonoscopy with the Olympus 160 series colonoscope or the Olympus 190 series scope, followed by repeat colonoscopy with the other instrument.

The percentage of patients with at least one adenoma missed when the 190 was used first was 17%, compared with 30% when the 160 was used first. The adenoma detection rate during first colonoscopy was 48% with the 190 versus 37% with the 160. The miss rate for…