Abstract:ObjectiveTo explore the value of endoscopic elves in the detection of colonic polyps in colonoscopy. MethodsData of 18 667 patients, who underwent electronic colonoscopy at center of digestive endoscopy, People's Hospital of Wuhan University from November 2016 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. According to different time period, patients were divided into five groups: group A were 3 131 cases (November 2016 to April 2017), group B 3 703 cases (May 2017 to September 2017), group C 3 134 cases (October 2017 to February 2018), group D 4 347 cases (March 2018 to July 2018), and group E 4 352 cases (August 2018 to December 2018). Simple electronic colonoscopy was performed only in group A, B and C, while endoscopic elves electronic colonoscopy was performed in group D and E. The detection rate of polyps, the number of large and small polyps were compared. ResultsA total of 18 667 patients underwent electronic colonoscopy and 5 770 patients with 18 797 polyps were found. The detection rates of polyps in group A, B and C were 21.88% (685/3 131), 26.55% (983/3 703), and 22.94% (719/3 134), respectively, and the proportions of small polyps were 87.31% (2 161/2 475), 87.70% (2 751/3 137), and 84.57% (2 356/2 786), respectively, with no significant differences (χ2=3.786, P=0.151; χ2=2.177, P=0.377). There were also no significant differences between group D and group E in the detection rate of polyps [36.16% (1 572/4 347) VS 41.61% (1 811/4 352), χ2=2.934, P=0.087], or the proportion of small polyps [90.67% (4 390/4 842) VS 88.68% (4 928/5 557), χ2=2.416, P=0.120]. Compared with the simple colonoscopy group (group A+B+C), the detection rate of polyps [38.89% (3 383/8 699) VS 23.95% (2 387/9 968), χ2=485.668, P<0.001] and the proportion of small polyps [89.60% (9 318/10 399) VS 86.54% (7 268/8 398), χ2=29.215, P<0.001] in the endoscopic elves colonoscopy group were significantly higher. ConclusionThe application of endoscopy elves in colonoscopy can increase the detection rate of colonic polyps, especially for small polyps.