Smartphone-controlled patch electro-acupuncture versus conventional pain relief during colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone-controlled patch electro-acupuncture (SCEA) is a novel device which gives the same analgesic effect as with conventional acupuncture. There are no published articles in the English literature on the use of this device as a primary mode of pain relief during colonoscopy. Primary aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of SCEA as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were randomized to receive SCEA (n = 19) or placebo (n = 18) during colonoscopy. Additional rescue sedation was administered to patients if they had pain or discomfort during the procedure. Visual analogue scale was used to quantify the intensity of pain from the beginning to end of the procedure. Other variables analysed were the amount of sedation used, duration from start to caecal intubation, length of time for completion of colonoscopy and recovery time to home discharge. RESULTS: Patients who received SCEA had a lower median pain score of 4.6 (interquartile range 5.7) compared to the placebo group of 6.0 (interquartile range 3.2). Statistical analysis comparing the groups revealed a non-significant P-value of 0.12, although more than 90% of the patients indicated willingness for SCEA as the primary analgesia if they were to repeat the procedure. Throughout the study, there were no adverse complications that occurred during the use of SCEA. CONCLUSIONS: Even though this study did not demonstrate, a significance in pain reduction, SCEA remains a safe modality which, more than 90% of patients favoured as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy.

An Unusual Complication of Colonic Perforation Following Percutaneous Nephrostomy in a Grade IV Blunt Renal Injury Patient

Percutaneous nephrostomy is relatively safe for temporary urinary diversion. However, colonic perforation due to percutaneous nephrostomy can happen with an incidence of 0.2% as reported in the English literatures. To our knowledge, this is the first case being reported as a complication following treatment for traumatic renal injury. This paper is to share our treatment approach which differs from the usual approach according to existing literatures. We report on a young man who sustained grade IV renal injury due to blunt trauma and was managed conservatively. The treatment of traumatic renal injury via urinary diversion was complicated with an iatrogenic colonic perforation. The management and subsequent treatment of this patient is discussed in this case report.