Efficacy and safety of water-exchange enteroscopy compared to carbon dioxide insufflation during enteroscopy.

Introduction: carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation during enteroscopy reduces procedure time and subsequent symptoms and increases the insertion depth compared with room air. In colonoscopy, the water-exchange (WE) technique is associated with less pain compared with CO2 insufflation. The WE technique is not well studied in enteroscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of enteroscopy with WE and CO2.

Methods: a prospective, comparative and observational study was performed of double balloon enteroscopies (DBE) that were randomized in two groups. The first group used WE while the second group used CO2 insufflation. The data collected was evaluated via univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression (variables with p ≤ 0.10 according to the univariate analysis).

Results: forty-six DBE were included; 23 in each arm. The median age of cases was 63.5 years and 37% were female. There were no statistical differences between the groups with regard to the access route, findings, therapy and complications. Four patients (20%) in the CO2 group had adverse events (abdominal distension and pain) and one in the WE group (nausea), which was not statistically significant. The median insertion depth was greater in the CO2 group; 260 cm vs 160 cm (p = 0.048). Multiple logistic regression showed a statistically significant difference in the insertion depth using CO2 insufflation (OR 1.009, 1.001-1.017; p = 0.034).

Conclusions: DBE with a CO2 insufflation technique and WE are safe with a greater insertion depth with CO2.