Up to 25 % colorectal adenomas are missed during colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the endocuff could improve polyp detection in an organized bowel cancer screening program (BCSP). This parallel group, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial included patients with positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) who were attending for BCSP colonoscopy. The primary outcome was the number of polyps per patient. Secondary outcomes included the number of adenomas per patient, adenoma and polyp detection rates, and withdrawal times. A total of 534 BCSP patients were randomized to endocuff-assisted or standard colonoscopy. The mean age was 67 years and the male to female ratio was 1.8:1. We detected no significant difference in the number of polyps per patient (standard 1.8, endocuff 1.6; = 0.44), adenomas per patient (standard 1.4, endocuff 1.3; = 0.54), polyp detection rate (standard 69.8 %, endocuff 70.3 %; = 0.93), adenoma detection rate (standard 63.0 %, endocuff 60.9 %; = 0.85), advanced adenoma detection rate (standard 18.5 %, endocuff 16.9 %; = 0.81), and cancer detection rate (standard 5.7 %, endocuff 5.3 %; = 0.85). The mean withdrawal time was significantly shorter among patients in the endocuff group compared with the standard colonoscopy group (16.9 vs. 19.5 minutes; < 0.005). The endocuff had to be removed in 17/266 patients (6.4 %) because of inability to pass through the sigmoid colon. This study did not find improved polyp or adenoma detection with endocuff-assisted colonoscopy in the FOBT-positive BCSP population. A shorter withdrawal time with endocuff may reflect improved views and stability provided by the endocuff.Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02529007).

This study provides the first evidence on the use of fCal testing in primary care. The low prevalence of organic disease in this setting has a significant impact on test performance. This suggests a need for change in cut-off value, to improve PPV whilst accepting a reduction in test sensitivity, if it is to be used as part of the pathway for management of patients with suspected IBS.

Background Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is associated with a risk of bleeding. Bleeding is usually treated with diathermy, although this does carry a risk of mucosal thermal injury. Purastat is a topical hemostat that may be effective in controlling bleeding during ESD, thereby reducing the use of heat therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the reduction in heat therapy used in the interventional group (Purastat) compared with the control group. The secondary aims were to compare the procedure length, time for hemostasis, delayed bleeding rate, adverse events, and wound healing between the groups. Methods This was a single-center randomized controlled trial of 101 patients undergoing ESD. Participants were randomized to a control group where diathermy was used to control bleeding or an interventional group where Purastat could be used. Follow-up endoscopy was performed at 4 weeks to assess wound healing. Results There was a significant reduction in the use of heat therapy for intraprocedural hemostasis in the interventional group compared with controls (49.3 % vs. 99.6 %, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the procedure length, time for hemostasis, and delayed bleeding rate between the groups. Complete wound healing at 4 weeks was noted in 48.8 % of patients in the interventional group compared with 25.0 % of controls (P = 0.02). Conclusions This study has demonstrated that Purastat is an effective hemostat that can reduce the need for heat therapy for bleeding during ESD. It may also have a role in improving post-resection wound healing.