Introduction Discomfort and failure to progress beyond the sigmoid are the commonest reasons for non-completion of colonoscopy^.1 We anecdotally observed that the use of a new ultraslim paediatric colonoscope (Olympus PCF-PQ260L) when the standard colonoscope failed often led to completion of difficult cases.

Methods We analysed 19 reports from cases at the Gloucestershire Royal hospital where the PCF-PQ260L was used as a second endoscope on an examination started with a regular colonoscope (Olympus H260 or Q260 colonoscopes) over the period January to August 2013.

Results 95% (18/19) of the time the extent of a non-completed colonoscopy was the sigmoid colon. 50% of the time this was due to diverticular disease with patient discomfort the second most common cause. In 80% of these cases, the subsequent use of the PCF-PQ260L enabled the endoscopist to reach the caecum. In addition, in those procedures that failed due to discomfort, comfort scores were improved in 50% during the second procedure with the PCF-PQ260L. The CIR of the GI consultants working at GRH averaged 96% for 2013.

Conclusion The PCF-PQ260L enabled the negotiation of the sigmoid colon in 80% of cases where a standard endoscope failed in the hands of skilled colonoscopists. This limited study suggests that the PCF-PQ260L is an exciting new tool in the colonoscopist’s inventory.

Reference 1 Dafnis G, Granath F, Påhlman L, Ekbom A, Blomqvist P. Patient factors influencing the completion rate in colonoscopy. Dig Liver Dis. 2005 ;37(2):113–8

Disclosure of Interest None Declared.