Endoscopy 2025; 57(S 02): S277
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1805673
Abstracts | ESGE Days 2025
Moderated poster
All you want to know about the colon! 05/04/2025, 11:00 – 12:00Poster Dome 1 (P0)

Impact of Simethicone on Colon Preparation in Water Exchange Screening Colonoscopies: A Retrospective Observation Study

P H Ko
1   Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
,
C W Tseng
2   Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
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Aims Simethicone is commonly used to enhance mucosal visibility in bowel preparations, and water exchange is preferred over air insufflation for superior colon cleansing during colonoscopy. However, the combined effect of these methods has not been studied. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate colon preparation quality in water exchange colonoscopies using simethicone.

Methods This retrospective study included patients who underwent water exchange screening colonoscopies from January 2023 to December 2023. We assessed the quality of bowel preparation in patients who received simethicone compared to those who did not. The quality of bowel preparation was measured using both the Aronchick Scale and the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify independent factors associated with a BBPS score exceeding 7.

Results In the final analysis of 95 patients, 31 received simethicone and 64 did not. The cohort included 53 males (55.8%) with a median age of 62 years. The simethicone group had a higher rate of “excellent” Aronchick ratings than controls (93.5% vs. 75.0%; P=0.031) and a higher proportion with a BBPS score>7 (90.3% vs. 70.3%; P=0.030). There was significant improvement in transverse colon quality (BBPS>3: 96.8% vs. 79.7%; P=0.028). Multivariate analysis identified simethicone as the only significant predictor of a BBPS score>7 (OR=3.941, 95% CI: 1.068 – 14.544, P=0.040). Simethicone use did not affect polyp or adenoma detection rates [1] [2].

Conclusions The addition of simethicone to water exchange colonoscopy significantly enhances colon cleanliness, though it does not influence polyp or adenoma detection rates. These findings warrant further investigation through randomized controlled trials to confirm their validity.



Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2025

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