Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

A randomized, controlled trial comparing air insufflation, water immersion and water exchange during minimally sedated colonoscopy - an interim report.

BACKGROUND: Water-aided methods for colonoscopy are distinguished by timing of removal of infused water, predominantly during withdrawal (water immersion, WI), or during insertion (water exchange, WE).

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) we assessed the hypothesis that compared with air insufflation (AI), WE produces significantly greater reduction in insertion pain than WI.

METHODS: The study was approval by local IRB and registered (NCT0090555). 200 patients were allocated into 3 groups by computerized randomization. AI, WI and WE were implemented as previously described. In all groups, during the insertion phase of colonoscopy, a study nurse asked the patient to report the level of pain (0=none, 10=most severe) at 2 to 3-min intervals or at any time the patient voiced discomfort. During the withdrawal phase, the pain was recorded in a similar manner. Procedural outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS: Demographic variables and final cecal intubation rates were comparable. Compared with AI, WI and WE both produced significantly better bowel preparation scores during colonoscope withdrawal and significantly lowered pain scores (AI 3.8±3.0, WI 2.4±2.6, WE 1.5±2.4, p<0.001) during colonoscope insertion. Compared with AI, WE produces significantly greater reduction in insertion pain than WI. The cecal intubation time was the longest in the WE group (AI vs. WI vs. WE, 8.9±7.3, 6.6±3.6 and 17.5±6.4 min, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Both WI and WE significantly reduced insertion pain compared with AI. Water exchange is superior to water immersion in attenuating insertion pain.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app