A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of air insufflation versus carbon dioxide insufflation during ERCP.
BACKGROUND
Visualization during GI endoscopy requires distention of the bowel lumen. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) insufflation decreases postprocedure abdominal discomfort and distension after colonoscopy, but there have been few published studies on its use in ERCP.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of CO(2) insufflation during ERCP.


METHODS
Double-blind, controlled, randomized trial.


METHODS
Tertiary-care referral center.


METHODS
This study involved consecutive patients referred for ERCP, excluding those with known CO(2) retention or with chronic use of opiate medications.


METHODS
Insufflation of CO(2) versus insufflation of air.


METHODS
Primary outcomes were abdominal pain assessed on a visual analogue scale and abdominal distension. Secondary outcomes included transcutaneous CO(2) levels (pCO(2)) and procedural complications.


RESULTS
We analyzed 74 patients, 38 in the air group and 36 in the CO(2) group. Pain scores were similar in both groups 1-hour postprocedure (16 vs 11 mm in the CO(2) and air groups, respectively; P = .29) as well as over the subsequent 24 hours. There were also no significant differences between groups in abdominal distension or pCO(2) levels. There were 13 patients with complications in the air group and 5 in the CO(2) group (P = .04; nominal significance removed by Bonferroni correction), although most complications were minor in nature.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-center study.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of CO(2) for insufflation during ERCP was safe in a tertiary-care referral population. However, use of CO(2) during ERCP did not lead to decreased postprocedural pain or less abdominal distension, so its role in this procedure remains in question. NCT00685386.
Dellon
Evan S
ES
Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7080, USA. edellon@med.unc.edu
Velayudham
Arumugam
A
Clarke
Bridger W
BW
Isaacs
Kim L
KL
Gangarosa
Lisa M
LM
Galanko
Joseph A
JA
Grimm
Ian S
IS
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000388:Air; D019296:Capnography / Q000295:instrumentation; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011029:Pneumoradiography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D002245:Carbon Dioxide