OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to compare the hydrogen potential (pH) and residual gastric volume (RGV) of patients undergoing colonoscopy after 3 and 6 hours of colon preparation with mannitol. METHODS: We described a prospective randomized trial with a 50:50 allocation rate of two distinct times of colonoscopy after colon preparation with 10% mannitol. We included outpatients aged over 18 years, with no history of gastric surgeries and an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-rated anesthetic risk below III. Colonoscopy was performed after upper digestive endoscopy at two different times: 3 versus 6-hour after mannitol ingestion. During upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, we measured RGV and evaluated pH with a digital pH meter. Clinical trials.gov: 71123317.9.3001.0065 RESULTS: We randomized a total of 100 participants to the 3 and 6-hour groups, with the patients in the 6-hour group being younger and presenting a higher body mass index (BMI). The intervention did not result in any statistically significant differences between the two groups, neither for the RGV (p=0.98) or the pH (p=0.732). However, the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus showed statistically significant higher RGV values in the 3-hour group. CONCLUSION There was no difference between RGV and pH values at 3 versus 6-hour after bowel preparation with mannitol, except for RGV in diabetic patients at 3 hours. As prolonged fasting protocols may result in adverse events such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, we can infer that colonic preparation with mannitol in shorter fasting periods, such as 3 hours, can be adopted safely and routinely.

OBJETIVO: Padronizar os métodos de coleta do muco do trato digestivo e determinar a microbiota, em voluntários saudáveis no Brasil, coletando amostras da boca, esôfago, estômago, duodeno, jejunos e íleo, cólons e reto. MÉTODOS: A microbiota de voluntários saudáveis foi avaliada através de diferentes métodos de coleta: cavidade oral (n=10 voluntários), do esôfago (n=10), do trato digestivo alto (n=20) e do trato digestivo baixo (n=24). Métodos de coleta foram adotados em cada sítio restrito, usando derramar saliva, técnica de esfregar a mucosa e saliva estimulada da cavidade oral, irrigação-aspiração, cateteres específicos designados para o esôfago, sonda especial para o trato digestivo alto e cateteres especiais para o trato digestivo baixo. RESULTADOS: Identificados: (i) na cavidade oral, microbiota mista, predominando cocos aeróbios e anaeróbios Gram positivos; (ii) no esôfago, flora transitória; (iii) no estômago e duodeno, Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp and Clostridium sp; (iv) no jejuno e íleo proximal, Bacteróides sp, Proteus sp and Staphilococcus sp, além da Veillonella sp ; (v) no colon, foi revelada a presença "não patogênica" da bactéria anaeróbica Veillonella sp numa concentração média de 10(5) unidades formadoras de colônia, indicando um meio de baixo potencial de oxido-redução e a possibilidade de se conceituar esta bactéria como um marcador biológico do trato digestivo total em sadios. CONCLUSÃO: Estes métodos de coleta foram considerados eficientes para obtenção adequada de amostra em cada segmento do trato digestivo total para caracterizar a microbiota normal. Estes procedimentos são seguros e facilmente reprodutível para estudo microbiológico.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to standardize the methods of sample collection of mucus from the digestive tract and to determine the microbiota in healthy volunteers from Brazil, collecting samples from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum. METHODS: Microbiota of selected healthy volunteers from the oral cavity (n=10), the esophagus (n=10), the upper digestive tract (n=20), and the lower digestive tract (n=24) were evaluated through distinct collection methods. Collection methods took into account the different sites, using basic scraping and swabbing techniques, stimulated saliva from the oral cavity, irrigation-aspiration with sterile catheters especially designed for the esophagus, a probe especially designed for upper digestive tract, and a special catheter for the lower digestive tract. RESULTS: (i) Mixed microbiota were identified in the oral cavity, predominantly Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci; (ii) transitional flora mainly in the esophagus; (iii) Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp, and Clostridium sp in the stomach and duodenum; (iv) in the jejunum and upper ileum, we observed Bacteroides sp, Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus sp, in addition to Veillonella sp; (v) in the colon, the presence of "nonpathogenic" anaerobic bacteria Veillonella sp (average 10(5) UFC) indicates the existence of a low oxidation-reduction potential environment, which suggests the possibility of adoption of these bacteria as biological markers of total digestive tract health. CONCLUSIONS: The collection methods were efficient in obtaining adequate samples from each segment of the total digestive tract to reveal the normal microbiota. These procedures are safe and easily reproducible for microbiological studies.

O câncer colorretal (CCR) é a terceira neoplasia maligna mais freqüente no mundo. No entanto, pouco ou nenhum benefício de sobrevida foi obtido nos últimos 50 anos. Quanto à doença genética, crescente investigação epidemiológica e de genética molecular apontam para a definição de grupos de risco, específicos para o CCR, favorecendo a aplicação de protocolos de rastreamento e possibilitando maior diagnóstico precoce. O CCR é melhor diagnosticado pelo exame colonoscópico que possibilita diagnóstico histológico através da biópsia. Lesões pré-malignas e cânceres precoces são diagnosticados preferencialmente pela colonoscopia em nosso meio. No entanto, significativa redução de custos se faz necessária à sua aplicação no rastreamento da população de risco normal para CCR. A polipectomia e a mucossectomia endoscópicas representam tratamento curativo para casos selecionados de CCR invasivo. Da mesma forma, adequada paliação pode ser alcançada utilizando alguns recursos da colonoscopia.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common malignancy throughout the world. Little or no improvement in survival has been effectively achieved in the last 50 years. Extensive epidemiological and genetic data are able to identify more precisely definite risk-groups so screening and early diagnosis can be more frequently accomplished. CRC is best detected by colonoscopy, which allows sampling for histologic diagnosis. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for detection of small and premalignant lesions, although it is not cost-effective for screening average-risk population. Colonoscopic polypectomy and mucosal resection constitute curative treatment for selective cases of invasive CRC. Similarly, alternative trans-colonoscopic treatment can be offered for adequate palliation, thus avoiding surgery.

Historicamente, as operações sobre o intestino grosso sempre foram cercadas por cuidados especiais, com o intuito de minimizar o potencial de complicações. Com isso, a realimentação oral era postergada. Este trabalho teve como objetivo documentar a retirada da sonda nasogástrica logo após o procedimento cirúrgico e a adoção da realimentação precoce. Foram acompanhados 105 pacientes submetidos a operações colorretais eletivas por via de acesso convencional. A média de idade foi de 59,9 anos com predomínio do sexo masculino. Oitenta e cinco doentes foram operados por afecção maligna. A operação mais realizada foi a retossigmoidectomia com anastomose colorretal. Água era permitida logo após o despertar do paciente, e dieta líquida era liberada no dia seguinte e feita a progressão conforme a aceitação, independentemente da presença de ruídos hidroaéreos ou eliminação de flatos. Em 14 pacientes (13,3%), interrompeu-se a dieta devido a ocorrência de náuseas ou vômitos. A mortalidade foi nula. Ocorreram complicações em 15 doentes (14,3%). Na série estudada, a retirada imediata da sondanasogástrica e realimentação precoce foi prática segura e bem tolerada pela maioria dos pacientes.

After colorectal operations, oral feeding has been traditionally delayed to avoid an increase in the incidence of anastomotic leakage. The purpose of this paper is to prove that immediate nasogastric tube withdrawal and early oral feeding may be safe. One hundred and five patients submitted to open colorectal resection were included in this study. The mean age was 59,9 years, and mate accounted for 54%. Eight five patients were operated on for colorectal cancer. The most employed proceeding was anterior rectal were resection. Water and tea was allowed since the patient was awake. Juice and soup was offered in the next day with progression to general diet according to patient's acceptance. Fourteen patients (13%) presented nauseas and vomiting, and feeding was interrupted. There was no death in this series. Postoperative complications were noticed in 15 patients (14%). Our conclusion is that immediate nasogastric tube withdrawl and early oral feeding after elective colorectal surgery is safe and well tolerated by the majority of patients.