COLONOSCOPY: RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INSUFFLATION WITH CARBON DIOXIDE VERSUS AIR

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Devices
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Colonoscopy is increasingly common in Brazil for screening and therapeutic procedures.
• Patient comfort and experience are crucial aspects of endoscopic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of carbon dioxide (CO2) versus air insufflation during colonoscopy.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized study involving 210 eligible patients.
• Patients were allocated to either the Air Group (n=104) or CO2 Group (n=97).
• Data collected included patient demographics, procedural details, and post-procedure pain and bloating assessments.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed between groups regarding bowel preparation, age, gender, surgical history, or procedural maneuvers.
• Post-procedure pain and bloating were more prevalent in the Air Group.
• Patients reported greater comfort and less bloating when CO2 was used for insufflation.

Conclusions:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation offers superior patient comfort compared to air during colonoscopy.
• CO2 insufflation effectively mitigates post-examination bloating, enhancing the overall patient experience.