
An extensive global study regarding the effectiveness of an innovative new technological device developed by Laniado Hospital’s Institute of Gastroenterology, has shown that a new device used in colonoscopy testing improves the detection of pre-cancerous growths by 81%. The device examines the large intestine using a balloon that is inflated inside the colon.
“This figure is very significant,” says Dr. Benny Shpak who is the Director of the Gastroenterology Institute at Laniado. He conducted a study in cooperation with gastrointestinal centers in the United States, Germany and Israel and examined 126 patients simultaneously, using both a standard endoscope and the new device. “We are literally talking about saving lives. You cannot underestimate the importance of this development.”
Dr. Shpak explains that "the intestine is made up of layers of mucosal tissue with many folds. These folds may conceal polyps that elude the camera. By making it possible to inflate a balloon located on the tip of the endoscope, the new device straightens the intestinal folds and smoothes the colon surface, enabling easier and better detection of polyps."
The device, which was approved by the Ministry of Health, is now in everyday use in many countries around the world. The results of the study have been published in leading scientific journals around the world.