The Efficacy of Cap-Assisted Colonoscopy as Compared to Conventional in a Pediatric Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The use of cap-assisted colonoscopy (CAC) in adults reportedly shortens cecal and ileal intubation times (CIT and IIT, respectively) and improves cecal and ileal intubation rates (CIR and IIR, respectively) as compared with the standard colonoscopy (SC). However, no study to date has assessed the efficacy of CAC in children. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine children were randomized to CAC (n=22) or SC (n=17) and 22 colonoscopy procedure were done per group. Quality indicators were evaluated. Results: The median ages of the CAC and SC groups were 9.5 years (range 4.3 to 16.0) and 9.7 years (range 3.9 to 13.5), respectively. The most common indication was hematochezia (38.6%). The median CIT in the CAC and SC groups were 13.5 (range 8 to 19) and 13.7 (range 10 to 18) minutes, respectively (p=0.621). The IIT in the CAC and SC group were 60 (range 55 to 95) and 59 (range 35 to 95) seconds, respectively (p=0.438). The overall CIR was 100% and did not differ between groups. The IIR of the CAC and SC groups were 100% and 95.5%, respectively (p>0.999). Good CIR and IIR were achieved and no complications occurred in either group. Conclusion: There were no intergroup differences in quality indicators. Keywords: Cap-assisted colonoscopy, Quality indicators for colonoscopy, Pediatric