A recent study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology analyzes whether right-sided starting position in colonoscopy would result in improved patient comfort and shorter procedure time when compared to left-sided starting position.
Here are four things to know about the study.
1. The study authors led a randomized, controlled trial of 163 adult patients undergoing a scheduled colonoscopy. The patients were randomly assigned to either right-sided starting position or the traditional left-side starting position.
2. The primary outcome measure for the study was time to cecal intubation. Patient comfort was the secondary outcome measure.
3. Median time to cecal intubation was quicker when the patients were in the right-sided starting position. Additionally, patients were more comfortable in this position.
4. The study authors concluded right-sided starting position results in quicker procedure time and improved patient comfort.