Magnetic Endoscopic Imaging for routine colonoscopy – do we need it?

Background: Routine colonoscopy is a ubiquitously practised procedure, but can be uncomfortable for patients and demanding in terms of time and staff requirements. Looping of the colonoscope produces patient discomfort due to mesenteric stretching and necessitates countermeasures such as change of patient position and external abdominal compression by assistant personnel which in turn increases patient stress and consumes time. Magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI) is a technique for direct visualisation of endoscope configuration inside the colon. MEI can help in the prevention of loop formation by giving direct vis…