Non-anesthesiologist administration of propofol sedation for colonoscopy is safe in low risk patients: results of a noninferiority randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Propofol provides the best sedation in colonoscopy. The safety of non-anesthesiologist administration of propofol (NAAP) is still a matter of debate. The aim of the current study was to evaluate sedation safety, colonoscopy quality, and patient satisfaction with NAAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a single-blinded, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial comparing NAAP (Group A) with anesthesiologist-administered sedation (Group B) performed at a single academic institution. Patients (18 - 80 years) who underwent colonoscopy and were at low anesthetic risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists class I - II) were included. The primary end point was the incidence of adverse events. Secondary end points were propofol dose, patient satisfaction and pain, colonoscopy quality indicators, and procedure and recovery times. RESULTS: A total of 277 patients were included in the analysis. The incidence of adverse events was 39.3 % in Group A and 39.0 % in Group B (absolute difference - 0.3 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] - 12.0 % to 11.4 %; P = 0.959). There were no sentinel adverse events. The following interventions (Group A vs. Group B) were necessary: atropine administration (0 % vs. 5.5 %; P = 0.004); airway repositioning (8.7 % vs. 4.7 %; P = 0.196); increased oxygen administration (6.7 % vs. 3.9 %; P = 0.317), and increased fluid rate (2.7 % vs. 0.8 %; P = 0.379). There were no differences in cecal intubation and adenoma detection rates. Recovery times were longer in Group B (58 ±â€Š33 vs. 67 ±â€Š29 minutes; P = 0.032). There were no differences in mean propofol dose, withdrawal time, painless colonoscopy, satisfaction, and amnesia. All but two patients (Group B) were willing to repeat the colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: NAAP is equivalent to anesthesiologist-administered sedation in the rate of adverse events in a low risk population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02067065).

Adenoma Detection Rate: I Will Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the first cause of cancer-related mortality in Portugal. CRC screening reduces disease-specific mortality. Colonoscopy is currently the preferred method for screening as it may contribute to the reduction of CRC incidence. This beneficial effect is strongly associated with the adenoma detection rate (ADR). AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the quality of colonoscopy at our unit by measuring the currently accepted quality parameters and publish them as benchmarking indicators. METHODS: From 5,860 colonoscopies, 654 screening procedures (with and without previous fecal occult blood testing) were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 66.4 ± 7.8 years, and the gender distribution was 1:1. The overall ADR was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32-39), the mean number of adenomas per colonoscopy was 0.66 (95% CI 0.56-0.77), and the sessile serrate lesion detection rate was 1% (95% CI 0-2). The bowel preparation was rated as adequate in 496 (76%) patients. The adjusted cecal intubation rate (CIR) was 93.7% (95% CI 91.7-95.8). Most colonoscopies were performed under monitored anesthesia care (53%), and 35% were unsedated. The use of sedation (propofol or midazolam based) was associated with a higher CIR with an odds ratio of 3.60 (95% CI 2.02-6.40, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data show an above-standard ADR. The frequency of poor bowel preparation and the low sessile serrated lesion detection rate were acknowledged, and actions were implemented to improve both indicators. Quality auditing in colonoscopy should be compulsory, and while many units may do so internally, this is the first national report from a high-throughput endoscopy unit.

Self-Expandable Metal Stents for Colorectal Cancer: From Guidelines to Clinical Practice.

INTRODUCTION: Colonic self-expandable metal stent placement is widely used for palliation of obstructive colorectal cancer. The European recommendations for stent placement as a bridge to elective surgery in obstructive colorectal cancer were recently reviewed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stent placement in obstructive colorectal cancer and to discuss these recent guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic characteristics, procedure indications, complications and final outcome in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer who underwent endoscopic stent placement between January 2012 and June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS V22. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included, 20 (56%) women, mean age 70.6 ± 10.9 years. Stent placement as a bridge to elective surgery was performed in 75% (n = 27) of patients and with palliation intent in 25% (n = 9). In 94% (n = 34) of procedures, technical and clinical success was achieved. A total of eleven (11%) complications were observed: 2 migrations and 9 perforations. No procedure related death was recorded. When stents were placed as a bridge to surgery, average time between endoscopic procedure and surgery was 11.7 ± 9.4 days (excluding three patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Six perforations were recorded in this group: one overt and five silent (three during surgery and two after histopathological examination of the resected specimen). Twenty-one patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. During the follow-up period of 14.7 ± 10.9 months recurrence was observed in five patients. None of the recurrence occurred in the group of patients with perforation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, stent placement was an effective procedure in obstructive colorectal cancer. It was mainly used as a bridge to elective surgery. However, a significant rate of silent perforation was observed, which may compromise the oncological outcome of these potentially curable patients. Prospective real life studies are warranted for a better definition of actual recommendations.

INTRODUÇÃO: A colocação de próteses metálicas autoexpansíveis é um procedimento endoscópico amplamente realizado como tratamento paliativo do cancro colo-rectal. As recomendações europeias para a colocação de prótese como ponte para a cirurgia na obstrução por cancro colo-rectal foram revistas recentemente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia e segurança da colocação de próteses na obstrução maligna por cancro colo-rectal e discutir as últimas recomendações publicadas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva das características demográficas, indicações, complicações e resultados da colocação de próteses metálicas autoexpansíveis em doentes com cancro colo-rectal obstrutivo entre janeiro de 2012 e junho de 2015. A análise estatística foi realizada com SPSS V22. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 36 doentes, 20 (56%) do sexo feminino, com idade média de 70.6 ± 10.9 anos. As próteses foram colocadas como ponte para cirurgia em 75% (n = 27) dos casos e com intuito paliativo em 25% (n = 9). Em 94% (n = 34) dos procedimentos obteve-se sucesso técnico e clínico. No total registaram-se 11 (31%) complicações: 2 migrações e 9 perfurações. Não se registou mortalidade associada ao procedimento. Nos casos como ponte para a cirurgia, o tempo médio entre o procedimento endoscópico e a cirurgia foi de 11.7 ± 9.4 dias (excluídos três doentes submetidos a quimioterapia neoadjuvante). Observaram-se seis perfurações neste grupo de doentes: uma perfuração clínica e cinco silenciosas (três intra-operatoriamente e duas após avaliação anatomopatológica da peça operatória). Vinte e um doentes foram submetidos a quimioterapia adjuvante. Após um tempo médio de seguimento de 14.7 ± 10.9 meses, registaram-se cinco casos de recorrência. Nenhum dos casos de recorrência ocorreu no grupo de doentes com perfuração. CONCLUSÕES: Nesta amostra, a colocação de prótese revelou-se um procedimento endoscópico eficaz. Na maioria dos doentes foi utilizada como ponte para a cirurgia. No entanto, verificou-se uma taxa significativa de perfuração silenciosa que poderá comprometer o resultado oncológico de doentes tratados com intuito curativo. Estudos prospetivos da prática real podem ser úteis para uma melhor definição das recomendações atuais.

Generalized peripheral lymphadenopathy in a patient treated for chronic HCV infection.

BACKGROUND: A 62-year-old white woman was admitted to hospital with a 2-month history of progressive, painless, left supraclavicular and axillary lymph node enlargement. The patient's history was significant for chronic HCV infection, for which she had just completed a 48-week course of treatment with pegylated interferon alpha (180 microg once weekly) plus ribavirin (1,000 mg daily). She attained an end-of-treatment response and subsequent qualitative measurement of HCV RNA confirmed a sustained virological response. The onset of progressive painless lymph node enlargement had been noted by the patient during the last 2 weeks of her treatment for HCV. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, otorhinolaryngological examination, laboratory investigations (including complete blood counts, liver function tests and serological tests), mammography, thyroid and abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, abdominal MRI, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, supraclavicular lymph node biopsy, (67)Ga scintigraphy and bronchoalveolar lavage. DIAGNOSIS: Granulomatous lymphadenitis of uncertain etiology with sarcoid-type and tuberculoid-type granulomas. MANAGEMENT: Standard antituberculosis treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for 2 months, followed by isoniazid and rifampicin for 7 months.