Comparison of missed adenomas in deep-sedated and unsedated colonoscopy: A multicenter retrospective study

Eur J Intern Med. 2023 Apr:110:48-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.01.019. Epub 2023 Jan 27.

Abstract

Background: Deep-sedated colonoscopy with propofol is widely used in China. However, its impact on quality metrics remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the effects of deep-sedated colonoscopy on missed adenomas, specifically in each colorectal segment.

Methods: Data of 3710 individuals from seven hospitals in China who underwent an initial colonoscopy with or without propofol sedation and a second colonoscopy without sedation within six months for surveillance or polypectomy by endoscopist of the same level between October 2020 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: A total of 1113 missed adenomas in 3710 patients were evaluated. The adenoma miss rate (AMR) was significantly higher in deep-sedated colonoscopy than in unsedated colonoscop [19.14% (578/3020) vs. 16.15% (535/3313), P < 0.05]. The risk of missing adenomas in deep-sedated colonoscopy was 1.229 times higher than in unsedated colonoscopy (OR, 1.229; 95% CI: 1.080-1.399). AMRs of the splenic flexure (26.02% [96/369] vs. 16.04% [47/293], P < 0.05) and descending colon (20.86% [102/489] vs. 13.37% [54/404], P < 0.05) were significantly higher in deep-sedated colonoscopy than in unsedated colonoscopy when performed by middle-level endoscopists rather than high-level endoscopists (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: AMR was higher in deep-sedated colonoscopy than in unsedated colonoscopy. Furthermore, adenomas in the splenic flexure and descending colon were more frequently missed in deep-sedated colonoscopy than in unsedated colonoscopy, particularly when performed by less experienced endoscopists.

Keywords: Adenoma; Colonoscopy; Colorectal cancer; Miss rate; Sedation.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma* / diagnosis
  • Colonoscopy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Propofol*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Propofol