Methods: 33 morbidly obese subjects (17 M:16 F; age: 59.4 ± 9.6 yrs; BMI: 41.0 ± 6.3 kg/m2), of which 8 had co-existing OSA, underwent colonoscopy with inhaled Penthrox® as a method of discomfort relief during colonoscopy. Patients with renal and liver diseases were excluded. Details on the degree of discomfort and anxiety before, during and after the colonoscopy were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-1 (STAI Y-1) score. Details on the performance of the colonoscopy as well

as the occurrence of adverse events were also documented. Vital signs and oxygen saturation during selleck compound the procedure were monitored every 3 minutes. Data were compared to 25 obese and/or OSA patients (12M:13F; age: 55.4 ± 17.5 yrs; BMI: 34.0 ± 6.8 kg/m2), who underwent anaesthesia assisted colonoscopy. Results: Colonoscopy was successfully and safely completed in all (100%) subjects who received Penthrox®, with no adverse effects such as respiratory depression, arrhythmia or hypotension. Inhaled Penthrox® did not affect the performance of colonoscopy with caecal arrival time of 8 ± 1 min, withdrawal time of 8 ± 1 min and polyp detection rate of 63% (21/33). The total procedural time in FK228 datasheet patients with Penthrox® was significantly shorter than that of anaesthesia-assisted colonoscopy (24 ± 1 vs. 35 ± 1 min, P < 0.0001). Compared to anaesthesia-assisted

colonoscopy, Penthrox® had significantly lower incidence of hypotension (2/33 vs. 17/25, P < 0.001) and no episodes of de-saturation (0/33 vs. 9/25, P < 0.001). The mean VAS pain score during the procedure was 3.6 ± 1.1 (0–10 scale). The overall satisfaction score was 98 ± 5 (0–100 scale) with 24/25 subjects willing to use Penthrox® for colonoscopy again. All subjects with Penthrox®

were alert during and at the completion of the colonoscopy, 6-phosphogluconolactonase and were discharged much earlier than patients who had anaesthesia-assisted colonoscopy (27 ± 2 vs. 101 ± 4 min, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: In patients with morbid obesity and/or OSA, inhaled Penthrox® for colonoscopy is feasible, safe and 100% successful without influencing the procedural time and polyp detection rate. Without sedative and adverse effects of anaesthesia, colonoscopy with Penthrox® analgesia in these high-risk subjects allows earlier discharge, which facilitates work-flow and improves cost effectiveness of busy endoscopy units. H THOMPSON, A VANDELEUR, A AGARWAL, R HODGSON, M APPLEYARD, ENDOSCOPY NURSES COLLABORATIVE (ENC), TM RAHMAN Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4053 Introduction: Hypothermia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in day case surgery. Complications include haemodynamic instability, haemhorrage and prolonged patient recovery.