Oral simethicone may improve colonoscopy quality: A review of clinical trials

Oral simethicone (SIM) was associated with a 13% increase in the rate of high-quality bowel preparation as measured by the Boston bowel preparation scale.

• SIM significantly improved bowel preparation quality, as indicated by a total Boston bowel preparation scale score of ≥6.
• The use of SIM increased patient acceptability by 15% and reduced abdominal distension by 36%.
• No significant differences were found in adenoma detection rate (ADR), polyp detection rate (PDR), cecal intubation rate (CIR), cecal intubation time (CIT), or withdrawal time (WT) between SIM and non-SIM groups.
• Higher doses of SIM (≥320 mg) or a single-dose laxative regimen were linked to better bowel preparation outcomes.
• Junior colonoscopy physicians with lower ADR, PDR, and CIR may benefit more from the use of SIM during procedures.

Simplified