# Effect of alverine citrate plus simethicone in colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

This study examines whether antispasmodic drugs reduce colonoscopy discomfort and improve procedure efficiency.

## Contribution

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of alverine citrate plus simethicone on colonoscopy outcomes.

## Key findings

- No significant difference in cecal intubation time between the antispasmodic and control groups.
- Antispasmodic group showed better scores in pain, spasm, cleanliness, and difficulty, with spasm and cleanliness being statistically significant.
- Patients and doctors may benefit from antispasmodic drugs before colonoscopy.

## Abstract

Colonoscopy is the standard procedure for screening, and surveillance of colorectal cancer, including the treatment for colonic lesions. Colonic spasm is an important problem from colonoscopy that affects both surgeons and patients. The spasm also might be the cause of longer cecal intubation time, difficulty of the procedure, and increased pain. Previous reports indicated that antispasmodic agents can decrease such symptoms. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the cecal intubation time of antispasmodic agents. A single blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted from 01/11/2020 to 31/08/2021. One hundred four patients were allocated to antispasmodic agent group and control group, in 1:1 ratio. The efficacy of median (range) cecal intubation time showed similar results of 5 (2, 14) and 5 (2, 15) minutes with no statistically significant difference. The mean scores of all domains i.e., pain, spasm, cleanliness, and difficulty were better in the antispasmodic agent group about 2.6 (1.4), 1.8 (0.8), 2.4 (0.9), and 2.0 (0.9), respectively, than control group but there were spasm and cleanliness showed statistically significant difference. Moreover, the satisfaction scores showed better efficacy in decreased spasm, decreased difficulty, and increased cleanliness than control group. Prescribing of antispasmodic drugs before colonoscopy might be the choice of treatment for the patients. The antispasmodic drugs will be beneficial to both of the patient and the doctor.