Carbon dioxide vs. air insufflation in ileo-colonoscopy and in gastroscopy plus ileo-colonoscopy: a comparative study
María Fernández-Calderón, Miguel Ángel Muñoz-Navas, Juan Carrascosa-Gil, María Teresa Betés-Ibáñez, Susana de-la-Riva, César Prieto-de-Frías, María Teresa Herráiz-Bayod, Cristina Carretero-Ribón, María Fernández-Calderón, Miguel Ángel Muñoz-Navas, Juan Carrascosa-Gil, María Teresa Betés-Ibáñez, Susana de-la-Riva, César Prieto-de-Frías, María Teresa Herráiz-Bayod, Cristina Carretero-Ribón
Abstract
Introduction: insufflation with carbon dioxide (CO2) during endoscopies compared to air is associated with a decrease in abdominal discomfort after the examination, because CO2 is readily absorbed through the small intestine and eliminated by the lungs.
Aim: the objective of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the effect of CO2 insufflation on pain and abdominal distension after an ileo-colonoscopy (I) and after an ileo-colonoscopy plus gastroscopy (I+G).
Material and methods: we included a total of 309 patients in the study and all endoscopies were performed under sedation with propofol. Two hundred fourteen patients underwent an I (132 with CO2 / 82 with air) and 95 underwent an I+G (53 with CO2 / 42 with air). Abdominal pain was studied at 10, 30 and 120 minutes of exploration and abdominal perimeter difference before and after the procedure.
Results: both in group I and in group I+G, the use of CO2 translated into an average of abdominal pain significantly lower (p < 0.05). Similarly, a smaller increase in waist circumference was found among group I and group I+G, in patients where CO2 was used (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: the insufflation of CO2 instead of air during the performance of endoscopy significantly reduces the discomfort and abdominal pain after an ileo-colonoscopy and after a gastroscopy + ileo-colonoscopy.
Source: PubMed