How many procedures are necessary to achieve competency in colonoscopy?]
GROUND: Competency for colonoscopy implies technical and cognitive skills. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has suggested 100 supervised procedures might be necessary. There are no specific recommendations in Brazil. AIM: To evaluate technical progress of trainees during a regular colonoscopy training program. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Two gastrointestinal fellows at Federal University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, were prospectively evaluated during first year training. The frequency and time of reaching the cecum, total procedure duration, ability to identify lesions and patient discomfort were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy one colonoscopies were preformed by both fellows (fellow A: 186 and B: 85). Twenty-seven cases were excluded of obstructive lesions or previous surgery, leading 171 and 72 exams, respectively. The mean success rate of reaching the cecum was 82.5% and 56.9%, respectively. For the first 72 exams it was 72.2% and 56.9%. Fellow A reached the ce
