The effectiveness of simethicone in improving visibility during colonoscopy

In colonoscopy examination, luminal visibility is frequently limited due to intraluminal bubbles. In present study was evaluated factors affecting bubble formation and the effects of simethicone in preventing bubble formation during colonoscopy.

Consecutive patients (n=164) who received polyethylene glycol or sodium phosphate for bowel preparation were prospectively enrolled. Before colonoscopy, 57 patients took 80 mg simethicone after ingestion of bowel preparation solution and 107 did not to determine whether simethicone decreased bubble formation. Intraluminal gas bubbles were assessed and graded as follows: 0, minimal or none; 1, covering less than half the lumen; 2, covering at least half the lumen or the entire circumference. Grade 2 bubbles were regarded as significant, limiting visibility.

Sodium phosphate preparation tended to have more bubbles than the polyethylene glycol. Significant bubbles were more likely to occur in males than females (p = 0.020). Significant bubbles were noted in 34.6% of patients without simethicone and 7% of patients with simethicone. Simethicone significantly lowered the incidence of bubbles during colonoscopy when given after a preparation solution (p < 0.05),

The present study findings indicate that taking simethicone after an oral polyethylene glycol or sodium phosphate preparation can improve colonic visibility by diminishing colonic bubbles.