New research shows that repeating intubation of the sigmoid colon—just one extra pass taking less than two minutes—significantly boosts adenoma detection compared to standard colonoscopy.
The study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, found that adenoma detection rates jumped from 14.5% to 24.3% when endoscopists reinserted the scope into the sigmoid colon. Most of the additional polyps found were small tubular adenomas, the kind most likely to be overlooked.
What makes this method stand out is its practicality: unlike add-on tools such as Endocuff or water-assisted techniques, it requires no new equipment, extra staff, or funding. For older patients, smokers, and those with lesions seen on the first pass, the second look was especially valuable.