Withdrawal Time During Screening Colonoscopy Associated with Interval-Cancer Incidence

In a large retrospective analysis, longer withdrawal time — but not higher adenoma detection rate — was significantly associated with lower incidence of interval cancers.

Current guidelines recommend that colonoscopists detect one or more conventional adenomas in ≥30% of men and ≥20% of women undergoing screening colonoscopy. Withdrawal times in normal colonoscopies in which no biopsies or polypectomies are performed should average ≥6 minutes, but withdrawal time is considered less important than adenoma detection rate (ADR).

To study the relationship between withdrawal time, ADR, and incidence of subsequent interval colorectal cancers, investigators analyzed data from gastroenterologists in a single Minnesota practice (51 gastroenterologists, 76,810 screening colonoscopies) and from the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System.

The overall ADR was 25%, with an average withdrawal time of 8.3 minutes (range, 3.9–14…

Reviewing Author

Douglas K. Rex, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOlympus Corporation America; Boston Scientific

Speaker’s BureauOlympus

Grant/Research SupportMedtronic; Boston Scientific; Colonary Solutions; Paion Medical; Medivators; Braintree Laboratories

Editorial BoardsWorld Journal of Gastroenterology; The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology; Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Medscape Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Annals of Gastroenterology & Hepatology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology; Comparative Effectiveness Research; Journal of Anesthesia & Clinical Research; Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology; Gastroenterology Research and Practice; GI & Hepatology News; Gastroenterology Report; Clinical Epidemiology Reviews; JSM Gastroenterology and Hepatology; GI Journal Watch; Austin Journal of Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Treasurer); US Multi-Society Task Force (AGA, ACG, ASGE) (Chair)