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HOME > Clin Endosc > Volume 56(4); 2023 > Article
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Use of abdominal compression device in colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yousaf Zafar1orcid, Ahmed Mustafa Rashid2orcid, Syed Sarmad Javaid2orcid, Ahmed Kamal Siddiqi3orcid, Adnan Zafar4orcid, Arsalan Zafar Iqbal5orcid, Jagpal Singh Klair6orcid, Rajesh Krishnamoorthi7,orcid
Clinical Endoscopy 2023;56(4):446-452.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.304
Published online: May 26, 2023

1Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

2Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan

3Department of Medicine, Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan

4Department of Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan

5Department of Medicine, FMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan

6Department of Gastroenterology, Kiaser Permanente, Bellevue, WA, USA

7Digestive Disease Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA

Correspondence: Rajesh Krishnamoorthi Digestive Disease Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA E-mail: Rajesh.Krishnamoorthi@virginiamason.org
• Received: November 18, 2022   • Revised: February 25, 2023   • Accepted: February 26, 2023

Copyright © 2023 Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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  • Background/Aims
    Colonoscopy for screening is associated with unpleasant experiences for patients, and abdominal compression devices have been developed to minimize these problems. However, there is a paucity of data supporting the therapeutic benefits of this strategy. This study examined the effects of using an abdominal compression device during colonoscopy on the cecal intubation time (CIT), abdominal compression, patient comfort, and postural changes.
  • Methods
    We searched PubMed and Scopus (from inception to November 2021) for randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of an abdominal compression device during colonoscopy on CIT, abdominal compression, patient comfort, and postural change. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.
  • Results
    Our pooled analysis of seven randomized controlled trials revealed that abdominal compression devices significantly reduced CIT (WMD, –0.76 [–1.49 to –0.03] minutes; p=0.04), abdominal compression (OR, 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28–0.94; p=0.03), and postural changes (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27–0.78; p=0.004) during colonoscopy. However, our results did not show a significant change in patient comfort (WMD, –0.48; 95% CI, –1.05 to 0.08; p=0.09) when using an abdominal compression device.
  • Conclusions
    Our findings demonstrate that employing an abdominal compression device may reduce CIT, abdominal compression, and postural change but have no impact on patient comfort.
  • Keywords: Cecum; Colonoscopy; Equipment and supplies; Intubation, gastrointestinal
Colonoscopy is required for both screening and treatment of colorectal cancer.1-4 In the United States, an estimated 14 million colonoscopies are performed annually, and the use of colonoscopies is increasing globally.5 Despite advances in colonoscopy equipment and personnel training, the procedure can be unpleasant for some people.6
A sigmoid loop is produced during colonoscopy, which may lead to excruciating pain and make endoscope insertion challenging.6 Ancillary maneuvers, such as posture shift and abdominal compression, are regularly employed to prevent looping and pain.7 Abdominal compression can aid in colonoscopy, preventing looping and pain management, as well as improving access to the cecum. Compression of the abdominal cavity during colonoscopy can be accomplished manually (by hand) or with the help of medical instruments that improve compression, such as abdominal compression devices (ACDs) or the abdominal corset.8 An abdominal corset is a bandage wrapped around the abdomen and is often used during abdominal surgery to protect the integrity of the sutures and support the incisional region by providing immobilization.9 Although ACD has been used to reduce cecal intubation time (CIT) and promote patient comfort, no guidelines or data are supporting the therapeutic benefits of this method.
Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the efficacy of encircling an ACD during colonoscopies.5,10-14 Studies have shown that ACD is effective in shortening the time required for cecal intubation during surgery.11,14 However, investigators have concluded that there are discrepancies in their findings.5 Uncertainty exists due to such uneven results when ACD is used in patients undergoing colonoscopy. Hence, we aimed to pool data and conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all relevant studies that reported results on abdominal compression, patient comfort, postural changes, and CIT.
This systematic review was performed following Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.12 The study was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.15
Literature search
Two reviewers (AMR and AKS) separately performed a comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings, including PubMed and Scopus (from inception until November 2021). Supplementary Table 1 lists the search strategies employed for each database. All the selected articles were imported into EndNote X9 (Thomson Reuters) to identify and delete duplicates. The remaining studies were examined by two reviewers, AMR and AKS, based on their titles and abstracts. The entire material was rigorously examined against the inclusion and exclusion criteria before articles were selected. The senior author (YZ) helped resolve any discrepancies.
Study selection
The studies included in the meta-analysis satisfied the following inclusion criteria: (1) study type: RCT; (2) population: patients undergoing colonoscopy; (3) intervention: ACD; (4) comparator: no device; and (5) outcomes: CIT, abdominal compression, postural changes, and patient comfort. Studies that used pillow-type compression devices were excluded. Conference abstracts, case series, case reports, and reviews were excluded.
Data extraction and quality assessment
The first investigator (AMR) extracted the data and the accuracy was double-checked by a second investigator (AKS). Baseline characteristics, outcomes, weighted mean differences (WMDs), Mantel–Haenszel odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Furthermore, using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs, two reviewers evaluated the quality of the RCTs as low, high, or uncertain.
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan software (Review Manager ver. 5.3.5; The Nordic Cochrane Centre). We calculated the ORs using the random-effects model and the Mantel–Haenszel method and estimated the WMD with a 95% CI using the inverse variance for continuous data. The I2 test was used to analyze the heterogeneity in the results of the studies. An I2 score of 50% indicated a considerable level of heterogeneity.16 We employed funnel plot asymmetry to detect any publication bias in the meta-analysis and Egger’s regression test to quantify funnel plot asymmetry.
The initial search yielded a total of 494 potential articles. After exclusion, seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. A PRISMA flowchart summarizing the study selection process is shown in Figure 1. The total number of participants was 1,708. The average age of participants was 54.9 years. Three studies were conducted in Turkey, whereas two were conducted in Japan, one in China, and one in the United States. The study characteristics are summarized in Table 1.5,7,10-14
Outcomes

1) Abdominal compression

Of the seven selected studies, six reported the effect of ACD on abdominal compression (total number of patients, 1,496; events, 512). According to our pooled analysis, the use of ACD was significantly associated with lower abdominal compression during colonoscopy (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28–0.94; p=0.03; Fig. 2A). There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I2=81%, p<0.001).

2) Patient comfort

Six studies reported results for patient comfort (total patients, 1,648). Our pooled analysis demonstrated that the ACD did not significantly affect the patient's comfort level (WMD, –0.48; 95% CI, –1.05 to 0.08; p=0.09; Fig. 2B). There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I2=97%, p<0.001).

3) Postural changes

Of the seven selected studies, six reported postural changes (total patients, 1,496; events, 400). Our pooled analysis demonstrated that the use of an ACD was associated with a reduction in postural changes (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27–0.78; p=0.004; Fig. 2C). Significant heterogeneity existed between the studies (I2=59%, p=0.03).

4) Cecal intubation time

Of the seven selected studies, six reported CIT (total patients, 1,496). Our pooled analysis shows that ACDs significantly reduced CIT when compared to the control group (WMD, –0.76; 95% CI, –1.49 to –0.03 minutes; p=0.04; Fig. 3). However, significant heterogeneity was noted among the included studies (I2=85%, p<0.001).

5) Quality assessment and publication bias

Overall, most of the studies were of high quality. All studies reported outcome data; however, most failed to report the blinding of participants and personnel.7,11-14 One study13 had a high risk of performance bias. The results of the quality assessment of the included trials are summarized in Supplementary Figure 1. Publication bias was not assessed as the total number of included trials was less than 10.
Our study demonstrated that ACDs are associated with a significant reduction in CIT as well as abdominal compression and postural changes, but the comfort level does not differ much from the baseline.
ACDs can assist in stabilizing the entire colonoscopy procedure by keeping it aligned and preventing it from looping during colonoscopy, leading to a more comfortable insertion and improved patient comfort. In contrast to manual abdominal pressure or position shifting, ACDs are easy to install and provide effective pressure to aid in the procedure.14 Furthermore, ACDs are reasonably priced and can be reused; therefore, they are not financial strain.11,12
According to our findings, the use of ACDs can significantly reduce the time required for cecal intubation. This was consistent with prior research findings.6 In contrast, some studies have demonstrated the opposite result in terms of reduced CIT.5,12 A reduction in CIT can be an essential element in the identification of cancer because the extension of CIT lowers the rate of adenoma detection.17 Patient-associated characteristics, such as low body mass index (BMI), advanced age, female sex, and personnel experience, have a direct impact on CIT.18 One probable explanation for the shorter CIT in individuals with a higher BMI is that these subjects have higher visceral fat, which provides additional support for the passage of the colonoscope.5
Additionally, our findings demonstrate that the use of ACDs is a significant predictor of reduced abdominal compression during colonoscopy. Furthermore, comparable findings were observed in a previous study;6 however, some studies have claimed that manual compression has the same effect in patients, regardless of the use of an ACD.7,19 Several trials have concluded that medical devices that induce compression are not superior to manual compression. Abdominal devices, such as corsets, can be used to apply pressure to the mesentery, preventing stretching and the formation of sigmoid looping.11 These devices exert well-balanced and effective pressure for the duration of the procedure without assistance.
Our findings also showed that the use of an ACD was strongly associated with reduced postural changes. Our findings corroborate previous evidence.6,11 However, some investigators have found that the use of an ACD does not diminish the requirement for position modifications during intubation or cecal imaging.7 Similarly, two further investigations discovered that the use of a device did not affect the frequency of position changes.5,12 Sedation is crucial during colonoscopy, as it also minimizes the need for position changes throughout the procedure; however, further research is required to assess whether compression devices are more successful in minimizing the frequency of postural adjustments when procedures are performed without sedation.
Furthermore, our data showed that employing an ACD did not affect the patient’s comfort level. This finding is in line with that of a previous study, which indicated that ACDs had no noticeable impact on patient-reported comfort levels.6 Colonoscopy can be extremely uncomfortable, which also causes patients to refrain from undergoing it, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Pain is the most significant contributor to discomfort. In one clinical study, binders were found to greatly minimize the requirement for analgesics during surgery as well as post-operative discomfort,10 but there are still insufficient data to conclude that ACDs are effective in increasing patient comfort.
We updated a previous study6 and provided the most recent information. Our results correspond with those of previous meta-analyses that added two novel outcomes. Furthermore, our findings pave the way for further research on the factors that drive CIT and the effectiveness of individual abdominal devices. Our findings could also aid in revising the colonoscopy guidelines.
This meta-analysis has numerous limitations. Diverse approaches to blinding outcome evaluation and the sedation provided during colonoscopy could be a source of variation. The diversity in endoscopist experience among studies may also be considered a considerable source of heterogeneity, and providing details related to endoscopist experience can help resolve this issue. Experienced endoscopists may often have less difficulty controlling loops, negating any benefits from the devices. Additionally, subgroup analysis was not integrated because the age and BMI cutoff points varied between the studies. Trials with broader and more diverse patient populations in the future will help perform more rigorous analyses.
Our findings show that using an ACD reduces CIT, abdominal compression, and postural change without affecting patient comfort. The therapeutic utility of ACDs (Fig. 4) in clinical practice should be investigated further in the future, with studies focusing on the clinical benefits of these devices.
Supplementary Table 1. Search strategy.
ce-2022-304-Supplementary-Table-1.pdf
Supplementary Fig. 1. Summary of quality assessment of the included trials.
ce-2022-304-Supplementary-Fig-1.pdf
Supplementary materials related to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.304.
Fig. 1.
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flowchart.
ce-2022-304f1.jpg
Fig. 2.
Forest plot of (A) abdominal compression, (B) patient comfort, and (C) postural change. M-H, Mantel–Haenszel; CI, confidence interval; SD, standard deviation.
ce-2022-304f2.jpg
Fig. 3.
Forest plot of cecal intubation time. SD, standard deviation; IV, intravenous; CI, confidence interval.
ce-2022-304f3.jpg
Fig. 4.
Different types of abdominal compression devices available for use during colonoscopy.
ce-2022-304f4.jpg
ce-2022-304f5.jpg
Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the included studies
Study Country Sample size (n) Male (n) Age (yr) Device used BMI (kg/m2) Abdominal circumference (cm)
Crockett et al. (2016)5 USA 346 134 59.9±8.7 Abdominal wrap 26.6±4.3 35.6±4.3
Toros et al. (2012)11 Turkey 216 97 43.1±13.1 Abdominal corset 23.7±3.4 NR
Toyoshima et al. (2019)12 Japan 77 49 51.3±10.1 Black brace support belt NR NR
Tsutsumi et al. (2007)13 Japan 212 143 67.2 (18–87) Abdominal bandage NR NR
Yu et al. (2018)14 China 451 181 54.5±13.4 Abdominal binder 24.4±3.9 NR
Goksoy and Kiyak (2021)10 Turkey 346 141 50.5±12.3 Abdominal binder 28.8±5.0 103±11
Özkan et al. (2021)7 Turkey 60 29 57.8±12.6 Abdominal corset 28.0±4.5 NR

Values are presented as number, mean±standard deviation, or median (range).

BMI, body mass index; NR, not reported.

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        Use of abdominal compression device in colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
        Clin Endosc. 2023;56(4):446-452.   Published online May 26, 2023
        DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.304
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      Use of abdominal compression device in colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
      Image Image Image Image Image
      Fig. 1. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flowchart.
      Fig. 2. Forest plot of (A) abdominal compression, (B) patient comfort, and (C) postural change. M-H, Mantel–Haenszel; CI, confidence interval; SD, standard deviation.
      Fig. 3. Forest plot of cecal intubation time. SD, standard deviation; IV, intravenous; CI, confidence interval.
      Fig. 4. Different types of abdominal compression devices available for use during colonoscopy.
      Graphical abstract

      Fig. 1.

      Fig. 2.

      Fig. 3.

      Fig. 4.

      Graphical abstract

      Use of abdominal compression device in colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
      Study Country Sample size (n) Male (n) Age (yr) Device used BMI (kg/m2) Abdominal circumference (cm)
      Crockett et al. (2016)5 USA 346 134 59.9±8.7 Abdominal wrap 26.6±4.3 35.6±4.3
      Toros et al. (2012)11 Turkey 216 97 43.1±13.1 Abdominal corset 23.7±3.4 NR
      Toyoshima et al. (2019)12 Japan 77 49 51.3±10.1 Black brace support belt NR NR
      Tsutsumi et al. (2007)13 Japan 212 143 67.2 (18–87) Abdominal bandage NR NR
      Yu et al. (2018)14 China 451 181 54.5±13.4 Abdominal binder 24.4±3.9 NR
      Goksoy and Kiyak (2021)10 Turkey 346 141 50.5±12.3 Abdominal binder 28.8±5.0 103±11
      Özkan et al. (2021)7 Turkey 60 29 57.8±12.6 Abdominal corset 28.0±4.5 NR
      Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the included studies

      Values are presented as number, mean±standard deviation, or median (range).

      BMI, body mass index; NR, not reported.

      Table 1.

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