A physiological appraisal of polyethylene glycol and a balanced electrolyte solution as bowel preparation

Abstract

Seventy-seven patients undergoing bowel preparation with either sennosides and rectal washout (S + RWO; n = 26) or polyethylene glycol and a balanced electrolyte solution (PEG + E) given orally (n = 25) or by nasogastric infusion (n = 26) have been studied. PEG + E was not associated with significant physiological change in electrolytes or blood gases. Patients tolerated PEG + E well and it provided a moderate to good bowel preparation in over 80 per cent of cases. PEG + E was not associated with a change in colonic microflora and was not associated with explosive mixtures of colonic gas due to hydrogen. It is therefore a safe, quick and efficient bowel preparation and provides a safer alternative to mannitol. The solution (PEG + E) may be used orally or by nasogastric infusion and does not require an accompanying intravenous infusion.