Aim: To compare high resolution colonoscopy (Olympus Lucera) with a megapixel high resolution system (Pentax HiLine) as an in-service evaluation.
Methods: Polyp detection rates and measures of performance were collected for 269 colonoscopy procedures. Five colonoscopists conducted the study over a three month period, as part of the United Kingdom bowel cancer screening program.
Results: There were no differences in procedure duration (χ² P = 0.98), caecal intubation rates (χ² P = 0.67), or depth of sedation (χ² P = 0.64). Mild discomfort was more common in the Pentax group (χ² P = 0.036). Adenoma detection rate was significantly higher in the Pentax group (χ² test for trend P = 0.01). Most of the extra polyps detected were flat or sessile adenomas.
Conclusion: Megapixel definition colonoscopes improve adenoma detection without compromising other measures of endoscope performance. Increased polyp detection rates may improve future outcomes in bowel cancer screening programs.
Keywords: Bowel cancer screening; High resolution colonoscopy; Polyp detection.