Evaluation of the Impact of Water Method During Insertion Phase of Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in Training

It is estimated that there are about 1.2 million patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide, with a rising trend in CRC incidence and mortality globally. In Hong Kong, colorectal cancer ranks first in cancer incidence and second in cancer mortality.

CRC is one of the most preventable cancers because its development in general follows an adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Adenomas are considered precursor lesions for CRC. Recent guidelines from USA, Europe and Asia Pacific region recommend CRC screening for average-risk asymptomatic individuals starting at age 50. Modalities such as guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (gFOBT), fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy are among the acceptable options for CRC screening. Studies have shown that early detection and removal of colorectal adenoma by screening flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) and screening colonoscopy with polypectomy reduce CRC incidence and mortality.

Approximately two-thirds of CRC are located in the sigmoid colon and rectum, which can be diagnosed by FS. In countries where colonoscopy may not be widely available or a prolonged waiting time exists, FS becomes an attractive option for CRC screening.

When compared to colonoscopy, FS has the advantages of being an unsedated procedure, requiring less stringent bowel prep, and being less technically demanding. While flexible sigmoidoscopy have traditionally been performed by gastroenterologists or surgeons, studies have demonstrated that adequately trained primary care doctors and nurse endoscopists can perform screening flexible sigmoidoscopy as safely and effectively as gastroenterologists or surgeons. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and the The Society of Gastrointestinal Nurses and Associates (SGNA) recommend 25 supervised procedures for training in FS. Hawes R et al reported that at least 30 supervised procedures were needed before 85% - 90% of the procedures were graded as competent in doctors without prior experience on rigid sigmoidoscopy. In another report, at least 50 supervised procedures have been suggested for FS training of clinicians without prior endoscopic skills.

From a technical standpoint, colonoscopy is a sedated procedure traditionally performed using air insufflation during the insertion phase of the procedure. Recently, the use of water method (eg, water infusion or water exchange techniques) during the insertion phase of colonoscopy has been reported to increase the proportion of patients in whom complete unsedated colonoscopy could be achieved, reduce patient recovery time burdens, decrease abdominal discomfort during and after colonoscopy, enhance cecal intubation, and increase willingness to repeat an unsedated colonoscopy. However, there has been no study on the use of water method during the training of primary care doctors or nurse endoscopists in flexible sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.

In unsedated endoscopic procedure such as FS, endoscope insertion techniques that can potentially reduce patient discomfort and increase the rate of achieving an adequate depth of scope insertion are desirable. Our current study aims to evaluate the impact of water method during insertion phase of FS in the training of primary care doctors or nurse endoscopists for colorectal cancer screening.

Inclusion criteria

• Consecutive asymptomatic patients suitable for CRC screening by FS
• Age 50 - 70 years
• Written informed consent available

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindications for endoscopy due to comorbidities
• Unable to provide written informed consent
• Personal history of polyposis syndrome, personal history of CRC, personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Coagulopathy (INR>1.5) or thrombocytopenia (platelets <50,000)
• Pregnant patients