Trial Information

Comparison of Study Method Versus Conventional Method for Performing Unsedated Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for the high and the low risk healthy asymptomatic
Veterans Affairs (VA) patients is being promoted. Compliance with this Directive will result
in an increased number of VA patients undergoing colonoscopy.

The demand for colonoscopy far exceeds the capacity available to perform the procedure in
the VA system. The conventional practice for colonoscopy at VA facilities across the country
is to perform colonoscopy under conscious sedation with air insufflation. Efficiency is
governed by the fact that sedated patients require time and space for recovery and these are
major limiting factors in the current setting for the use of colonoscopy for CRC screening.

In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial (RCT), two methods of performing colonoscopy
will be compared in patients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy for CRC screening. We compared
the water infusion in lieu of air insufflation (water method) with the conventional air
insufflation method. We hypothesize that the water method (Study method) increases overall
cecal intubation with comparable assessment of current experience and patient willingness to
repeat future colonoscopy compared with conventional colonoscopy. In addition, the water
method improves bowel preparation and increases polyp pickup rate.