Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Water vs. Air Method for Performing Colonoscopy in Adult Female Subjects

Overview

This is a prospective , single center, investigator initiated, randomized controlled trial to compare two methods of performing colonoscopy by experienced colonoscopist. Potential female subjects presenting for colonoscopy at UCD GI Lab will be presented with the study option and will be enrolled if they sign the informed consent. In recent years, the water infusion method has been reported to have several beneficial effects when studied in veteran patients. These include: significant reduction in discomfort to permit a significantly higher percentage (98% vs. 76%) of veterans to complete scheduled unsedated colonoscopy, lower sedation medication requirement when they accepted the option of minimal pre-medication sedation, more patients completing without sedation (78% vs 54%) when they accepted the on demand sedation and an increase in the yield of adenomas (a type of cancer seen in the colon) in screening and surveillance colonoscopy. Reviewers of the method have repeatedly called for studies using the method in female patients to confirm or refute the findings as most of the veteran patients are male patients.

Study Aim Our aim is to perform a randomized controlled trial comparing air insufflation colonoscopy (conventional method ) vs. water infusion colonoscopy ( study method ) in non veteran female subjects presenting for colonoscopy . Subjects will be randomized 1:1 like the flip of coin. Study Design This is a prospective, single center, investigator initiated, randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the study method (water infusion colonoscopy) with conventional method (air insufflation colonoscopy "pump air to dilate the colon to visualize the colon mucosa) in female patients by experienced colonoscopist. Patients will be classified ASA 1 (No organic, physiologic, biomedical or psychiatric disturbance) and ASA 2 (Mild to moderate systemic diseases which are well controlled including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, age 70 and over) before colonoscopy procedure. Research Methods and Procedures The air (conventional) method: Air is pumped gently (insufflation) into the colon will be used to open the inside space of the colon and aid in colonoscope insertion The water (study) method: Warm water (body temperature) will be pumped into the colon in place of air to open the inside of space of the colon and aid in colonoscope insertion After insertion, both methods may use any of the following procedures to advance the colonoscope in to the colon: colonoscope shortening maneuver, abdominal compression, by the assistant, and change of patient position. In both methods air insufflation will be used to distend the colon for inspection, biopsy and polypectomy. Washing of the stool covered mucosa and inspection behind the folds will be performed systematically. After turn around in the rectum, residual air and water will be removed by suction. Data gathering instruments used in the VA studies will be employed (subject interview questions are attached). Statistical analyses similar to those used in the previous VA studies (Student's t tests, Fischer's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, etc) will be used to analyze the data. Biopsy and polypectomy will be performed as usual and all tissues will be submitted for routine histological assessment and the pathology will be recorded.