SINGLE-DAY, DIVIDED-DOSE ORAL SODIUM-PHOSPHATE LAXATIVE VERSUS INTESTINAL LAVAGE AS PREPARATION FOR COLONOSCOPY - EFFICACY AND PATIENT TOLERANCE

Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solutions are widely used to pr epare the colon for colonoscopy. Unfortunately, some patients find thi s preparation difficult to complete. Recent studies of a sodium phosph ate-based laxative have shown both good patient tolerance and good bow el preparation. In these studies, the laxative has generally been pres cribed in two doses, with the second dose taken early the morning of c olonoscopy. Because the morning dose is inconvenient for many patients , we compared giving a common polyethylene glycol-based electrolyte la vage solution the day before colonoscopy with our method of giving bot h doses of sodium phosphate-based laxative the day before colonoscopy: one dose at 4 PM and the second dose at 8 PM. We judged efficacy by a n assessment of residual liquid and fecal matter in the colon and judg ed tolerance by the results of a symptom questionnaire completed by ea ch patient immediately before the procedure. Our results in more than 200 patients showed similar efficacy ratings and similar symptom scare s for both preparations, but patients rated the sodium phosphate-based preparation as easier to tolerate. In conclusion, in selected patient s this new dosing method for sodium phosphate is preferable to large-v olume, whole-gut lavage solutions.