Background and Objective: Water exchange colonoscopy is the least painful method for unsedated colonoscopies. Simplified left water exchange (LWE) reduced the cecal intubation time, but it was difficult to avoid the use of an additional pump. Minimal water exchange (MWE) is an improved novel method that eliminates the need for pumps, but it is not clear whether MWE has the same efficiency as LWE.
Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial conducted in a tertiary hospital. Enrolled patients were randomized 1:1 to the LWE group and MWE group. The primary outcome was recalled insertion pain measured by a 4-point verbal rating scale, and the secondary outcomes mainly included adenoma detection rate (ADR), cecal intubation time, the volume of water used, and the willingness to undergo unsedated colonoscopy.
Results: A total of 226 patients were included (LWE, n = 113 and MWE, n = 113). The MWE showed non-inferior moderate/severe pain rates compared with the LWE (10.6% vs. 9.7%), with a difference of 0.9% (99% confidence interval [CI], [-9.5, 11.3]; threshold, 15%). ADR, cecal intubation time and willingness were not significantly different between the two groups, but the mean water used (volume) in the MWE was significantly less than in the other (163.7 ml vs. 407.2 ml, 99% CI [-298.28, -188.69]).
Conclusion: Compared to LWE, MWE demonstrated a non-inferior outcome for insertion pain, and comparable cecal intubation time and ADR, but reduced the volume of water used and eliminated the need for a water pump.