THE CAUSE OF FAIURE IN LOOP RELEASE

The cause of the failure in loop release is the wrong timing of the withdrawal and twist of the scope. In this chapter I will explain the theory of the successful loop release.

THE TIMING OF LOOP RELEASE

In the sigmoid colon, release the loop as soon as the tip passes SD. The hook is most firmly fixed when the bending of the scope corresponds to the acute angle of SD. If you push the scope further in fear of falling the scope, ironically the scope would be more likely to fall because the SD angle will become obtuse for the scope's elasticity (Chart 14-1).

CHART 14-1 WHEN TO RELEASE THE LOOP

THE THEORY AND METHOD OF LOOP RELEASE

When releasing the loop, the tip of the scope will fall if you start to twist the scope immediately after withdrawing it. Make sure to withdraw the scope straightforwardly first, without twist, to minimize the circular loop (Chart 14-2). It feels heavy with the right hand when the loop is minimized.

Why would the scope fall when twisted soon after withdrawal? This can be explained with "the two-board theory" (Chart 14-3). During the release of a loop, the circular loop has to stand. When the space between two boards is narrower than the diameter of the circular loop, the loop cannot stand, therefore, the release is impossible. If you start to twist the scope immaturely when the circular loop is large, the loop can't stand in the abdomen and the scope would fall during the release of the loop.

CHART 14-2 DO NOT TWIST THE SCOPE TOO SOON FOR RELEASE OF THE LOOP First withdraw the scope straightforwardly and minimize the circular loop.

　

CHART 14-3 WHY WOULD THE SCOPE FALL WHEN TWISTED SOON AFTER WITHDRAWAL? When the diameter of the circular loop is larger than the space between two boards, it is impossible to release the loop. ("The two-board theory")

　

After minimizing the circular loop, start to withdraw and twist the scope 180 degrees. The amount of withdrawal is equivalent to the circumference of the minimized circle. The diameter of the minimized circular loop is approximately 10cm, so the length of withdrawal should be about 30cm (Chart 14-4). When the withdrawal is halfway the loop release would be incomplete, and the scope would bow again with another pushing. Make sure to withdraw the scope enough length. For loop release, the right thumb works as the "angle sensor". Before the release, the thumb nail is facing upward on the scope. After the release is completed, the thumb nail is facing downward.

Practice and learn the loop release with the scope on a bed (Chart 14-6). Make an alpha loop on the bed and put a pillow on the tip of the scope as a weight and try to release it. First, put the right thumb on the scope and withdraw the scope straightforwardly. You can sense heaviness with the right hand when the circular loop is minimized. Then stop withdrawing and twist the scope 90 degrees clockwise. And withdraw the scope 30 cm while twisting the scope 90 more degrees in the same direction.

CHART 14-6 FLOWCHART OF HOW TO RELEASE THE LOOP

The diameter of the minimized loop is different depending on the scope. It would be smaller with a thin or soft scope, and larger with a thick or hard scope (Chart 14-7). Therefore, the loop release can be difficult when a thick scope is used for a thin person since the minimized loop is too large and there is enough space for the loop to stand. In such a case, make the scope less stiff or change the scope to the thinner one to make the circular loop smaller. Also, in order to "widen the space between two boards", to direct the patient to relax their abdomen or to anesthetize the patient. Changing the patient's position from supine posture to decubitus posture can also be effective.

CHART 14-7 THE THICKER SCOPE HAS A LARGER MINIMIZED LOOP The thick scope as in the picture on the right has a larger minimized circular loop, so sometimes it is difficult to release the loop in a thin person.