Carbon dioxide-insufflated colonoscopy: an ignored superior technique

Colonoscopy and barium enema are complementary studies in the diagnosis of the cause of lower intestinal bleeding. The air usually insufflated during colonoscopy often makes it impossible to perform a good barium enema on the same day. As a possible solution to this problem, we studied the quality of barium enemas performed immediately following carbon dioxide-insufflated colonoscopy. All 15 patients who underwent unsuccessful total colonoscopies using carbon dioxide insufflation were able to have barium enemas performed the same day in contrast to only one out of 15 patients who had air-insufflated colonoscopy. In a survey of all hospitals in Illinois with 150 beds or more, we found only 15 of 146 hospitals used carbon dioxide for colonoscopy insufflation. We recommend the routine use of carbon dioxide for colonoscopic insufflation not only for greater safety and comfort for the patient, but also for the convenience and cost savings.