CO2 insufflation for potentially difficult colonoscopies: Efficacy when used by less experienced colonoscopists

Table 1 Patient characteristics (n = 114) n (%)

	CO2 group (n = 57)	Air group (n = 57)	P value
Median age, yr (IQR)	65 (59-73)	62 (47-71)	0.107
Females	39 (68)	38 (67)	1.00
Eligibility criteria for difficult cases1
Females with relatively low BMI (< 22)	35 (61)	36 (63)	0.133
Previous abdominal and/or pelvic open surgery	41 (72)	37 (65)	0.546
Males with previously diagnosed left-side diverticulosis	6 (11)	2 (4)	0.271
One or more previous colonoscopies	16 (28)	15 (26)	1.00

¹Some patients had more than one difficult case factor. IQR: Interquartile range; BMI: Body mass index.

Table 2 Use of antispasmodic drugs & median procedure times for CO₂ & air insufflation groups

	CO2 group (n = 57)	Air group (n = 57)	P value
Patients receiving antispasmodic drug (%)	54 (95)	56 (98)	0.616
Median total procedure time, min (IQR)	22.5 (17.9-29.6)	22.3 (16.3-43.9)	0.734
Insertion to cecum	10.3 (6.5-16.6)	9.6 (5.8-16.2)	0.601
Withdrawal	11.9 (10.1-13.6)	12.0 (9.8-14.2)	0.986

Table 3 Median procedure times for colonoscopist groups

	EC group (n = 53)	LEC group (n = 61)	P value
Median total procedure time, min (IQR)	19.5 (15.3-25.8)	23.8 (19.2-34.5)	0.005
Insertion to cecum	7.7 (5.1-13.2)	12.5 (7.0-18.9)	0.036
Withdrawal	10.9 (10.0-13.0)	12.5 (10.2-15.1)	0.003
Examiner replaced during intubation	1	5	0.213

EC: Experienced colonoscopist; LEC: Less experienced colonoscopist.