Abstract
We compared the safety and usefulness of total colonoscopy with carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation and that with air insufflation. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, namely the CO2 group and Air group. We examined the clinical backgrounds, vital signs, waist measurements, and subjective symptoms of all patients, and evaluated the costs of examination for each. Subjective symptoms were estimated with the results obtained using a questionnaire. We did not observe a significant difference in patient background (age, man-to-woman ratio, reason for examination) or vital signs between the 2 groups. Fifteen minutes after the examination, reduced waist circumferences were noted in patients in the CO2 group ; however, this change was not observed in patients in the Air group. No significant difference in pain was observed between the 2 groups ; after examination, the level of abdominal enlargement felt by the CO2 group patients was lower than that felt by the Air group patients. Moreover, 15 minutes later, this difference became more remarkable. The cost of using CO2 insufflation, as calculated from the start of examination, was 30.4 ± 14.6 yen per examination. The use of CO2 insufflation in total colonoscopy allowed us to decrease the level of abdominal enlargement felt by the patients, without causing major changes in their vital signs ; therefore, we suggest that the findings of this study could have useful implications regarding insufflation during total colonoscopy.
