Improving quality of colonoscopy by adding simethicone to sodium phosphate bowel preparation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of simethicone in enhancing visibility and efficacy during colonoscopy.


METHODS
A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted. One hundred and twenty-four patients were allocated to receive 2 doses of sodium phosphate plus 240 mg of tablet simethicone or placebo as bowel preparation. Visibility was blindly assessed for the amount of air bubbles and adequacy of colon preparation. Total colonoscopic time, side effects of the medication, endoscopist and patient satisfaction were also compared.


RESULTS
Sodium phosphate plus simethicone, compared to sodium phosphate plus placebo, improved visibility by diminishing air bubbles (100.00% vs 42.37%, P < 0.0001) but simethicone failed to demonstrate improvement in adequacy of colon preparation (90.16% vs 81.36%, P = 0.17). Endoscopist and patient satisfaction were increased significantly in the simethicone group. However, there was no difference in the total duration of colonoscopy and side effects of the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of simethicone is of benefit for colonoscopic bowel preparation by diminishing air bubbles, which results in enhanced visibility. Endoscopist and patient satisfaction is also increased.
Tongprasert
Sasinee
S
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Rajathevee, Bangkok, Thailand. teasb@mahidol.ac.th
Sobhonslidsuk
Abhasnee
A
Rattanasiri
Sasivimol
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000934:Antifoaming Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012841:Simethicone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D000934:Antifoaming Agents; D002400:Cathartics; D010710:Phosphates; D010919:Placebos; D012841:Simethicone; C018279:sodium phosphate