by Larissa Biggers, on December 21, 2018
Looping occurs in 90% of all colonoscopies. It is the main cause of patient pain and failed and prolonged procedures. Yet the concept of looping can be hard to grasp and even harder to visualize.
This short video illustrates WHAT looping looks like and WHY it happens.
As endoscopists and endoscopy staff know, looping it is the bane of the insertion phase of colonoscopy. It is also why more than 50% of colonoscopies require staff intervention—meaning abdominal pressure or patient repositioning. This video explains HOW two methods of applying manual pressure can help mitigate looping.
Although looping is common barrier to a quick and complete colonoscopy, it does not have to be. There are tools that stop looping before it starts, making colonoscopy easier for everyone involved.