Biomedical Letters

Addition of Simethicone to Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution for Bowel Preparation Improves Colonoscopic Bowel Visualization: A Review

Yusuf Shire Yusuf, Ou Xi Long*

Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China

Abstract

Colorectal cancer, usually diagnosed more in the developed countries (western), is a cancer whose morbidity and mortality rate can be significantly reduced by screening early and removing the pre-malignant adenomas. The only effective way to properly visualize the entire colon is via colonoscopy. For optimum high quality colonoscopy, effective bowel preparation is an absolute requirement, as an incomplete colonoscopy can reduce the likelihood of detecting adenomas or polyps. It can also increase the duration of the procedure, negatively influence the patient's tolerability and the performing doctor's satisfaction. Additionally, it can cause a higher risk of complications. The most common limitation a physician can encounter during a routine colonoscopy coelesce with bile and gastric contents. Additionally, the presence of air bubbles can affect the proper visualization of the entire colon. Prior to a colonoscopy, physicians routinely use a variety of laxatives for bowel preparation. Although there is no guarantee for optimal safety and efficacy, all of them have unique positive and negative qualities. In this review, we will evaluate the effect of Simethicone when it is combined with polyethylene glycol whereby the amount of colonic bubbles and duration of a colonoscopy procedure is reduced.

Keywords: Colonoscopy, simethicone, polyethylene glycol, bowel preparation.

Received November 24, 2015 Revised December 29, 2015 Accepted January 12, 2016

*Correspondence: Ou Xi Long Email ouxilong@126.com Contact: +8613605166989