BACKGROUND: Although standard colonoscopy is considered the optimal test to detect adenomas, it can have a significant adenoma miss rate. A major contributing factor to high miss rates is the inability to visualize adenomas behind haustral folds and at anatomic flexures.OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic yield of balloon-assisted colonoscopy versus standard colonoscopy in the detection of simulated polyps in a colon model.DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study.SETTING: International gastroenterology meeting.SUBJECT: A colon model composed of elastic material, which mimics the flexible structure of haustral folds, allowing for dynamic responses to balloon inflation, with embedded simulated colon polyps (n = 12 silicone "polyps").INTERVENTIONS: Fifty gastroenterologists were recruited to identify simulated colon polyps in a colon model, first using standard colonoscopy immediately followed by balloon-assisted colonoscopy.MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Detection of simulated polyps.RESULTS: The median polyp detection rate for all simulated polyps was significantly higher with balloon-assisted as compared with standard colonoscopy (91.7% vs 45.8%, respectively; P < .0001). The significantly higher simulated polyp detection rate with balloon-assisted versus standard colonoscopy was notable both for non-obscured polyps (100.0% vs 75.0%; P < .0001) and obscured polyps (88.0% vs 25.0%; P < .0001).LIMITATIONS: Non-randomized design, use of a colon model, and simulated colon polyps.CONCLUSION: As compared with standard colonoscopy, balloon-assisted colonoscopy detected significantly more obscured and non-obscured simulated polyps in a colon model. Clinical studies in human participants are being pursued to further evaluate this new colonoscopic technology.
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