Effects of body mass index on cecal intubation time in women

Özet

Objective: During colonoscopy, cecal intubation time is prolonged with increase in difficulty of the procedure. Cecalintubation time may be affected by age, gender, and body structure. We investigated the relationship between bodymass index and cecal intubation time in women.Material and Methods: This prospective study included 61 women who underwent colonoscopy in the endoscopyunit of the General Surgery Clinic in Trabzon Kanuni Training and Research Hospital between January 2016 and September2016. The colonoscopies were performed by a single surgeon. The height and weight of all the participantswere measured, and their body mass index values were calculated before the procedure. The timer was activated assoon as entry was made from the anal region with colonoscope and stopped when the cecum was reached. The cecalintubation time was recorded for each subject. The results were evaluated statistically, and p<0.05 was consideredto be significant.Results: The mean body mass index was 29.6±6.8 kg/m2. The median cecal intubation time was 4 min. (minimum2 min; maximum 8 min). A significantly strong positive correlation was found between body mass index and cecalintubation time (r:-0.891, p<0.001).Conclusion: Cecal intubation time was found to be shorter in women whose body mass index values were high.This outcome may help to eliminate the “the colonoscopy will be difficult” preconception, which is common amongendoscopists with regard to the colonoscopies for obese female patients.