RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A minimum recommended withdrawal time for screening colonoscopy is recommended for by both the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. AIM: To characterize the relationship between endoscopists withdrawal time at colonoscopy and polyp detection in a symptomatic cohort of patients as compared to previously untimed withdrawal. METHODS: Three experienced medical endoscopists prospectively performed 1079 colonoscopies during a 24-month period in an Irish hospital. Mean withdrawal time and individual polyp detection rate were noted. RESULTS: Introduction of mandatory withdrawal time which was monitored and documented was associated with higher polyp detection rate (33 versus 21%, p < 0.005) as compared to previously untimed withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a monitored colonoscopy withdrawal time of at least 6 min, which correlates with higher colon polyp detection rates in a symptomatic cohort.