Is acetic acid really effective as a mucolytic agent for magnifying colonoscopy diagnosis?

Irrigating Acetic Acid Solution During Colonoscopy for the Detection of Sessile Serrated Neoplasia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Misdiagnosed sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are important precursors for interval colorectal cancers.

AIMS

We investigated the usage of acetic acid (AA) solution for improving the detection of SSLs in the right colon in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

A tandem observation of the right colon was performed in 412 consecutive patients. A first inspection was performed under white light high-definition endoscopy. In the AA group, a low concentration vinegar solution (AA: 0.005%) irrigated by a water pump in the right colon was compared with a plain solution of normal saline (NS) in the diagnostic yield of SSLs during the second inspection. Secondary outcomes in overall polyp detection were measured.

RESULTS

Qualitative comparisons showed significant differences in the detection rates of all polyps except adenomas, with remarkable improvement in the demonstration of advanced (> 20 mm), SSLs, and hyperplastic polyps during the second inspection of the right colon using the AA solution. Significant improvement was also noted in the AA group, as far as the mean number of polyps/patient detected, not only in SSLs (AA group: 0.14 vs. NS group: 0.01, P < 0.001), but also in all histological types and all size-categories in the right colon. Small (≤ 9 mm) polyps were detected at a higher rate in the sigmoid colon expanding the effect of the method in the rest of the colon.

CONCLUSION

AA-assisted colonoscopy led to a significant increase in SSLs detection rate in the right colon in a safe, quick, and effective manner.