Endocuff Vision Assisted vs. Standard Polyp Resection in the Colorectum

Adenomas are premalignant polyps of the colon that should be resected endoscopically. Complete resection of adenomatous polyps is the major task of colonoscopy. In some cases polyp may be poorly accessible making endoscopic resection difficult. Polypectomy may be conducted using the so-called piece meal technique in these cases. However, leaving polyp residual polyps in the colon bears the risk of malignant degeneration as colorectal cancer may arise form adenomatous remnants. In case of difficult polyp locations endoscopic resection may also be time consuming. On the other hand endoscopists are facing an increased time pressure due to rising numbers of procedures during the last decades.

The Endocuff Vision device (EVD) is a cap that can be mounted to the tip of a standard endoscope. The EVD has small flexible branches on its outside. The branches turn out during withdrawal. By that the branches are getting in contact with colonic wall. This mechanism leads to a more stabilized position of the colonoscope in the bowel. It is hypothesized that resection circumstances may be improved by using an EVD. In addition, stabilizing the scope during resection may result in a reduced time effort. Until now no controlled trials exist investigating the effect of EVD on the time effect during polyp resection. Therefore a randomized controlled trial needed comparing standard polypectomy versus polypectomy using the EVD during routine colonoscopy procedures.