None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Patients with liver cirrhosis are at risk of having varices (dilated vessels) in their oesophagus and stomach. These varices can bleed and bleeding is associated with serious complications. It is recommended that all patients have their oesophagus examined with an endoscopy (flexible telescope / camera) to detect these varices. Currently these endoscopies are performed in the Gastrointestinal Investigation Unit using sedation (medication to make you drowsy). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of a new endoscope in detecting dilated vessel in the oesophagus and stomach compared to standard the endoscopy. The newer scope is very thin, disposable and can be performed in a consultation room. The thinness of the scope allows the examination to be performed without sedation, using only local sedation.
Interventions
This is a pilot study that will prospectively evaluate the role of disposable thin endoscopy in screening and surveillance of gastro-oesohageal varices, compared to the current gold standard upper endoscopy.
Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy in the Gastrointestinal Investigation Unit for variceal screening or surveillance will be screened for eligibility to participate in the study. Patients will undergo examination with thin disposable endoscopy an
This is a pilot study that will prospectively evaluate the role of disposable thin endoscopy in screening and surveillance of gastro-oesohageal varices, compared to the current gold standard upper endoscopy. Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy in the Gastrointestinal Investigation Unit for variceal screening or surveillance will be screened for eligibility to participate in the study. Patients will undergo examination with thin disposable endoscopy and standard upper endoscopy on the same day or within 72 hours. These 2 examinations will be performed by different consultant gastroenterologist who will be blinded to the results of the other endoscopic examination. Upper endoscopy with the disposable ultra-thin gastroscope will be performed unsedated after a minimum of four hour fast from solids and liquids. The patients will receive laryngeal/pharyngeal local anesthesia with lignocaine gargle or spray. The patient will be in the left lateral position for the upper endoscope. The approximate duration of the procedure will be 15 minutes. This will be followed by conventional gastroscopy which will be performed under sedation. The approximate duration of this examination will be 15 minutes On endoscopic examination, the following will be documented: Number and location of varices: upper, middle or lower oesophagus or stomach. Size of varices: classified according to Baveno I consensus, small varices < 5mm, large varices >5mm. Presence of red colour signs / red wale signs
Sponsors
The Royal Adelaide Hosptial
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Liver cirrhosis
Exclusion criteria
Active gastrointestinal bleeding Inability to provide written informed consent
Outcome results
None listed