Post written by Shunya Takayanagi, MD, from NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Distal attachments placed on the endoscope tip are useful for cecal intubation of the colonoscope, detecting polyps by depressing the fold. Various diameter endoscopes need multiple types of attachment, which can be costly.

Therefore, we developed a silicon attachment that adheres to the endoscope because of static electricity and can be wrapped in any endoscope. This tape hood is less expensive than a transparent hood and has adjustable tip length and stiffness based on the times the tape is rolled. 

To attach the tape hood to the endoscope, both sides are peeled off first. Then, the tape is wrapped around the endoscope, adjusting the tape’s length visible from the endoscope’s tip. Two or 3 rolls of tape are sufficient in terms of firmness. Finally, the excess tape is cut with scissors.

We evaluated the durability of this tape in vitro. The tape hood did not peel off when exposed to water from the tap, shaken in the water, subjected to strong water currents, or pulled with a pean.

In our case, a 46-year-old woman underwent a colonoscopy with a tape hood for cancer screening. For intubation, the tape hood maintained a constant distance from the mucosa, allowing the innominate groove and fold to be seen and making it easy to recognize the direction of the next lumen.

As for observation, the tape hood had good firmness for pressing the mucosa to detect, magnify, and resect the polyp. The tape hood did not cause adverse events such as perforation or injury or peel off in vivo.

In conclusion, this tape hood is safe, compatible with endoscopes of any outer diameter, and does not peel off easily. Even after reading our study, some endoscopists might think this hood is too soft, easily peeled off, or tears. This tape hood will be available soon. Please try it.

Static electricity fastening tape hood. A, Flexibility of the tape hood. B, Exterior of the tape hood. C, Interior of the tape hood.

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