Gregorios A. Paspatis

Polypectomy techniques in the removal of polyps in the 3-8 mm size range are inconsistent. The aim of our study was to compare cold (CSP) with hot snare polypectomy (HSP) in the occurrence of postpolypectomy bleeding in small colonic polyps 3-8 mm in size. In all, 414 consecutive patients with small colorectal polyps 3-8 mm in size were prospectively randomized into the CSP group and the HSP group. There was no early or late postpolypectomy bleeding in either group. Intraprocedural bleeding was significantly more frequent in the CSP group than the HSP group (CSP, 19/208; HSP, 2/206; P<0.001) but resolved spontaneously without any intervention in both groups. The data show that the CSP technique is safe, effective and quicker than HSP for patients and it could be considered the ideal procedure for small polyp removal.

Aim The detection rate of adenomas is one of the current quality indicators in high-quality colonoscopy. We compared the performance of colonoscopy for the detection of polyps in patients sedated with deep and moderate sedation. Secondary objectives included the patient's and the endoscopist's satisfaction, recovery time and the adverse events related to sedation between the two groups. Method Five hundred and twenty patients submitted for colonoscopy were prospectively randomized into a deep sedation group (DS group, n = 258) and a moderate sedation (MS group, n = 262) group. In both, sedation and analgesia were performed using midazolam with pethidine. Results There were no differences between the two groups in the following three areas: (1) The overall detection of polyps (DS, 1 [0-20]; MS, 1 [0-15]; P = 0.67), (2): polyp size >= 10 mm (DS, 0.00 [0-7]; MS, 0.00 [0-6]; P = 0.30), and (3) polyp size < 10 mm (DS, 0.00 [0-20]; MS, 0.00 [0-13]; P = 0.83). There was no significant difference in the rate of adenoma detection (DS, 1 [0-10]; MS, 1 [0-9]; P = 0.99). Conclusion The study demonstrated no difference in the detection of polyps by colonoscopy using deep or moderate sedation.

Deep sedation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography

Sedation and analgesia is the standard of care during diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures in most areas of the world. Unsedated endoscopy is feasible in selected patients, but requires commitment on the part of both the patient and the provider. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has defined four stages of sedation, ranging from minimal to moderate, deep and general anesthesia. The level of sedation as well as the choice of sedative is based on the type of procedure, patient characteristics and the existence of the required structural conditions. Individuals administering sedation/analgesia should be trained to rescue a patient who has reached a level of sedation deeper than that intended.

Background and study aims: We sought to determine whether bispectral index (BIS) monitoring is a useful adjunct to the administration of propofol titrated to deep sedation, as measured by reductions of doses of propofol administered during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Patients and methods: 90 consecutive patients undergoing ERCP were randomized to receive propofol titrated to deep sedation, with the BIS value either visible (BIS group, n = 46) or invisible (control group, n = 44) to the anesthesiologist. In the BIS group, the anesthesiologist was instructed to use the BIS value as the primary end point for titration of sedation, and to target BIS values between 40 and 60. For the control group, the anesthesiologist was instructed to titrate propofol according to routine practice in the unit using the modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) Scale (MOAA/S score 0). Results: The mean (SD) propofol doses (mg/min per kg weight) were 0.139 (0.02) and 0.193 (0.02) for the BIS and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean (SD) BIS values throughout the procedure were 61.68 (7.5) and 56.93 (4.77) for the BIS and control groups, respectively (P = 0.001). During the maintenance phase of sedation (MOAA/S score 0), the mean (SD) BIS values were 53.73 (8.67) and 45.65 (4.39) for the BIS and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest that BIS monitoring led to a reduction in the mean propofol dose when the BIS value was used as the primary target for sedation in ERCP procedures.

Aim We sought to compare the performance of colonoscopy using a high‐definition, wide‐angle endoscope vs a standard colonoscope for the detection of polyps. Method A total of 390 patients were prospectively randomized into high‐definition colonoscopy group (HD, n = 193) and standard colonoscopy group (SC, n = 197). Results Analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences between the two groups, as far as the overall rate of polyps (SC, 1.31 ± 1.90; HD, 1.76 ± 2.31; P = 0.03) and the rate of small hyperplastic polyps (size < 5 mm; SC, 0.10 ± 0.36; HD, 0.25 ± 0.61; P = 0.003) were concerned. No significant differences between the two groups were observed, regarding large polyps (size ≥ 10 mm; SC, 0.39 ± 0.89; HD, 0.48 ± 0.80; P = 0.10), medium polyps (10 mm > size ≥ 5 mm; SC, 0.60 ± 1.46; HD, 0.58 ± 1.25; P = 0.31) and small polyps (size < 5 mm; SC, 0.32 ± 0.86; HD, 0.71 ± 1.65; P = 0.09). Similarly, no significant differences were demonstrated in the detection rate of adenomas and hyperplastic polyps, large adenomas, medium adenomas, small adenomas and large and medium hyperplastic polyps. Conclusion High‐definition colonoscopy led to a significant increase in the polyp detection.