[Transparent Cap Colonoscopy versus Standard Colonoscopy for Investigation of Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions]

Morgan J, Thomas K, Lee-Robichaud H, Nelson RL

Published Online:

February 16, 2011

[Five randomised controlled trials were included in the review comparing Colonoscopy with the Transparent Cap with Standard Colonoscopy in the investigation of gastrointestinal tract conditions. The findings of our work suggest that there is improvement in time to caecal intubation when using the transparent cap compared with standard colonoscopy, although this is not statistically significant. We conclude that further research is required to assess the clinical significance of this result, especially considering that there have been no adverse events noted.]

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Colonoscopy is considered the gold-standard investigation for screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It is also becoming increasingly desirable for assessment, management, diagnosis and follow-up of other colorectal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and acute diverticulitis. Hence, due to the increasing demand for colonoscopy, devices to advance examination techniques are highly sought-after and the colonoscope with the transparent cap could be one of these.

Objectives:

To identify and review all relevant data in order to determine whether colonoscopy with a transparent cap is a more effective diagnostic tool than colonoscopy.

Search strategy:

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of colonoscopy with a transparent cap with standard colonoscopy.

Selection criteria:

Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials which compared the use of colonoscopy with a transparent cap with standard colonoscopy.

Data collection and analysis:

Data on study methods, participants, interventions used and outcomes measured was extracted from each study. Data was entered into the Cochrane Review Manager software (RevMan 5.0, 2008) and analysed using Cochrane MetaView.

Main results:

In the present meta-analysis, we considered for the first time all five randomised controlled trials so far performed. The findings of our work indicate that colonoscopy with transparent cap has a faster caecal intubation time when compared with standard colonoscopy. Reviewing studies individually would also seem to favour colonoscopy with transparent cap for polyp detection rate and pain during procedure but due to lack of comparable data meta-analysis was not feasible.

Authors' conclusions:

This review suggests that a transparent cap on the end of the colonoscope may give a marginally faster caecal intubation time compared with standard colonoscopy. It also suggests that there is a better polyp detection rate and less pain with the cap. However, the authors feel that further randomised controlled trials in this area would provide more clinically significant information on this adjunct to colonoscopy.

This record should be cited as:

Morgan J, Thomas K, Lee-Robichaud H, Nelson RL. Transparent Cap Colonoscopy versus Standard Colonoscopy for Investigation of Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD008211. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008211.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

November 18, 2010

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Primary Review Group:

Colorectal Cancer Group

Health topics:

Cancer > Colorectal > Early detection

Gastroenterology > Cancer: colorectal > Early detection

Gastroenterology > Inflammatory bowel disease > General interventions

Gastroenterology > Non-neoplastic disease of the small & large bowel > Diverticulosis

Gastroenterology > Non-neoplastic disease of the small & large bowel > Investigative procedures

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

[Transparent Cap Colonoscopy versus Standard Colonoscopy for Investigation of Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions]

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