Practical Gastroenterology is excited to bring you this special supplement featuring abstract highlights and author insights from the American College of Gastroenterology’s 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting. Among the inflammatory bowel disease-related abstracts, we include those which focus on pregnancy, quality of life issues, treatment options and the importance of colonoscopy surveillance. The abstract highlights and author insights below first appeared on the ACG Blog and were selected by the ACG Educational Affairs and PR Committees as newsworthy.
What’s new here and important for clinicians? Newly created Visualization
balloon is a simple accessory, used with regular colonoscopes. It allows performance of colonoscopy without any insufflation of air or carbon dioxide. Without gas insufflation the colon is not distended, not elongated and navigation of the colonoscopy through the colon becomes simpler and faster. For these reasons Visualization balloon allows to perform colonoscopy much faster (compared to traditional colonoscopy) and with much less discomfort for the patient. We performed several studies demonstrating ability to perform colonoscopy utilizing Visualization balloon without any sedation. Using the Visualization balloon we were able to complete colonoscopies even in patients who had difficult colon (long, with multiple fixed turns) – these patients had previously unsuccessful traditional colonoscopies.
What do patients need to know?
Colonoscopy with Visualization balloon is faster and causes less abdominal discomfort compared to traditional colonoscopy with air or carbon dioxide insufflation.
