In our study, we found the PillCam SB2-ex to have a significantly increased completion rate, though without any improvement in diagnostic yield compared to the PillCam SB2.

BackgroundTo evaluate resident knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening guidelines and to define areas requiring attention.MethodsA survey was created using three published guidelines for CRC screening. Program directors for internal medicine residency programs were contacted within the metro New York City area to have their residents participate.ResultsFive programs participated, and 115 responses were recorded. For the appropriate testing and interval to screen for CRC, 61/115 residents identified flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, 108/115 identified colonoscopy every 10 years, 16/115 identified double contrast barium enema (DCBE) every 5 years and only 12/115 thought CT-colography every 5 years was appropriate. Only 40/115 respondents appropriately identified fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) administered in the patient’s home annually, while fecal immunohistochemical testing (FIT) annually at home was identified by 8/115 residents.ConclusionWhile most residents seem knowledgeable regarding CRC screening with colonoscopy, many deficiencies remain. FOBT for screening purposes remains undervalued, and confusion about administering the test persists. The distinction between screening and prevention needs further reinforcement.

Rat and mouse were utilized as models to study the spinal (subarachnoid) anesthetic effects of five commonly used local anaesthetic agents. Duration and frequency of motor and sensory blockade, and onset time were determined after injection of 5.0% lignocaine, 0.75% bupivacaine and 1.0% amethocaine to the same groups of rats with chronically implanted catheters in the lumbar subarachnoid space. Dose-response curves for lignocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, amethocaine and cinchocaine were obtained after single intrathecal injection to the mouse. The relative potency and other characteristics of the compounds investigated were in agreement with results obtained in other species, including man. The techniques described may provide useful adjuncts to methods in larger animals for the evaluation of potential new spinal anaesthetic agents, and the study of various factors that may influence spinal anaesthesia.

The surface local anaesthetic properties of the new local anaesthetic amid etidocaine (Duranest) were studied in experimental animals. Etidocaine produced topical local anaesthesia of high intensity, rapid onset and with a comparatively long duration of action following corneal, intranasal and intratracheal application. The surface anaesthetic activity of etidocaine was substantially greater than that of lignocaine, similar to that of bupivacaine but less than that of amethocaine. When applied to the mucous surfaces of the nose and the respiratory tract, etidocaine was less toxic than amethocaine and bupivacaine but more toxic than lignocaine. The data justify a clinical evaluation of etidocaine as a surface anaesthetic.

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