Simethicone use during gastrointestinal endoscopy: Position statement of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia

Concern has been raised regarding the use of simethicone, a de‐foaming agent, during endoscopic procedures. Following reports of simethicone residue in endoscope channels despite high level disinfection, an endoscope manufacturer recommended that it not be used due to concerns of biofilm formation and a possible increased risk of microorganism transmission. However, a detailed mucosal assessment is essential in performing high‐standard endoscopic procedures. This is impaired by bubbles within the gastrointestinal lumen. The Gastroenterological Society of Australia's Infection Control in Endoscopy Guidelines (ICEG) Committee conducted a literature search utilizing the MEDLINE database. Further references were sourced from published paper bibliographies. Following a review of the available evidence, and drawing on extensive clinical experience, the multidisciplinary ICEG committee considered the risks and benefits of simethicone use in formulating four recommendations. Published reports have documented residual liquid or crystalline simethicone in endoscope channels after high level disinfection. There are no data confirming that simethicone can be cleared from channels by brushing. Multiple series report benefits of simethicone use during gastroscopy and colonoscopy in improving mucosal assessment, adenoma detection rate, and reducing procedure time. There are no published reports of adverse events related specifically to the use of simethicone, delivered either orally or via any endoscope channel. An assessment of the risks and benefits supports the continued use of simethicone during endoscopic procedures. Strict adherence to instrument reprocessing protocols is essential.     

结肠镜下单纯性直肠溃疡的临床特征分析

目的:分析结肠镜发现的单纯性直肠溃疡的临床特征及病理特点。方法:回顾性分析2016 年9 月—2022 年3 月在天津市人民医院消化内科进行结肠镜检查的37 489 例患者的临床资料。入选标准:直肠溃疡，直径≥ 0.2 cm，单发或多发，无结肠炎及结肠溃疡等其他结直肠疾病。入选患者44 例，占同期行结肠镜检查者的1.17‰(44/37 489)。其中男性21例，女性23 例，年龄16~81 岁，平均(53.0±14.8)岁。结果:44 例单纯性直肠溃疡的症状包括便血、腹痛、排便不尽感、下腹/ 肛门坠胀、腹泻、腹胀及排便次数增多等，还有个别患者出现排便费力、里急后重及发热等表现。其中以腹痛及便血最为常见，占比达40% 以上。内镜表现:溃疡直径0.2~1.0 cm 者24 例，1.1~3.0 cm 者13 例，＞ 3.0 cm 者7 例。单发溃疡25 例(56.8%)，多发溃疡12 例(27.3%)，占据管腔1/4 及以上大溃疡7 例(15.9%)。病因学分析:非特异性直肠炎29 例，溃疡性直肠炎5 例，缺血性直肠炎4 例，肠克罗恩病、肠阿米巴病各1 例，还有4 例未明确病因，其中病理可见异型细胞3 例，疑似血管炎相关疾病1 例。结论:非特异性直肠炎在单纯性直肠溃疡中所占比例较高。内镜联合活检对于明确单纯性直肠溃疡的病因具有重要意义。     

应用专科护理质量指标管理提高结肠镜诊疗病人肠道准备的合格率

[目的]探讨专科护理质量指标管理在提高结肠镜诊疗病人肠道准备合格率的作用。[方法]选取2018年3月-2018年6月行结肠镜检查的341例病人为对照组,实施常规肠道准备,2018年7月-2018年10月行结肠镜检查的401例病人为观察组,运用专科护理质量指标进行管理,落实包括建立标准饮食单、规范的泻药服用及方法、分时段健康教育及图片式粪便观察等护理措施及相应质控查检表等相关内容,比较两组病人肠道准备合格率及耐受度。[结果]观察组较对照组病人的肠道准备合格率及耐受度均有明显提高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。[结论]应用专科护理质量指标管理,显著提高了病人肠道准备的合格率及病人的耐受度,体现了标准化肠道准备过程中人性化关怀,同时提升了专科护理质量及护士的专科综合能力。     

The second round of the Dutch colorectal cancer screening program: Impact of an increased fecal immunochemical test cut-off level on yield of screening

The Dutch colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program started in 2014, inviting the target population biennially to perform a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). We obtained prospectively collected data from the national screening information-system to present the results of the second round (2016) and evaluate the impact of increasing the FIT cut-off halfway through the first round from 15 to 47 μg Hb/g feces on outcomes in the second round. Second round screening was done with a 47 μg Hb/g feces FIT cut-off. Participants were classified based on first round participation status as either FIT (15,47) or FIT (47,47) participants, and previous nonparticipants. In total, 348,891 (75.9%) out of 459,740 invitees participated in the second round. Participation rates were 93.4% among previous participants and 21.0% among previous non-participants. FIT(47,47) participants had a significantly higher detection rate of AN (15.3 vs. 10.4 per 1,000 participants) compared to FIT(15,47) participants in the second round, while their cumulative detection rate of AN over two rounds was significantly lower (45.6 vs. 52.6 per 1,000 participants). Our results showed that participation in the Dutch CRC screening program was consistently high and that second round detection rates depended on the first round FIT cut-off. The cumulative detection over two rounds was higher among FIT(15,47) participants. These findings suggest that a substantial part of, but not all the missed findings in the first round due to the increased FIT cut-off were detected in the subsequent round.     

(Technically) Difficult colonoscope insertion – Tips and tricks

Cecal intubation is a critical aspect of effective, complete colonoscopy. Difficult colonoscopy is most often considered as one in which it is challenging or impossible to reach the cecum. It may be a common occurrence due to patient and/or endoscopist factors. Incomplete colonoscopies should be avoided, since patients in this context present an important prevalence of lesions that escape examination. The approach to successful cecal intubation should depend on characterization of the problem as redundant colon or difficult sigmoid colon. Most patients with a prior incomplete colonoscopy can be colonoscoped successfully, if careful attention is paid to technique, using a variety of scopes, colonoscopy methods and additional equipment. Sufficient time should be allotted to make the attempt.