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

Figure 1 Patient flow chart.

Figure 2 Mean VAS scores at corresponding measurement points during and after colonoscopy examinations in CO₂ and air insufflation groups. VAS scores for CO₂ insufflation were significantly better than those for air insufflation (^dP < 0.001, ANOVA for repeated measures). ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs the CO₂ group at each measurement point by Wilcoxon rank sum test. VAS: Visual analogue scale.

Figure 3 Mean VAS scores at corresponding measurement points during and after colonoscopy examinations for experienced colonoscopists (EC group) in CO₂ and air insufflation groups. There were no significant differences in VAS scores between the two insufflation groups for EC group (P = 0.29, ANOVA for repeated measures).

Figure 4 Mean VAS scores at corresponding measurement points during and after colonoscopy examinations for less experienced colonoscopists (LEC group) in CO₂ and air insufflation groups. VAS scores for CO₂ insufflation were significantly better compared to air insufflation for LEC group (^dP = 0.023, ANOVA for repeated measures). ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs the CO₂ group at each measurement point by Wilcoxon rank sum test.