A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A NEW PEG-ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION COMPARED WITH A STANDARD PREPARATION FOR COLONOSCOPY

The efficacy, tolerability and patient acceptance of a new flavoured P EG solution for gut lavage was compared with a standard preparation fo r bowel cleansing in a randomized controlled trial of patients undergo ing colonoscopy. One hundred and sixty patients were randomly allocate d either to a standard preparation (2-day semi-liquid diet, laxatives and cleansing enemas) or to gut lavage (fractionized ingestion of lava ge solution, two litres in the afternoon before and a third litre the morning of the examination). Adequacy of colon cleansing was scored ev aluating residual stool in each colonic segment and overall mucosal vi sibility. Tolerability of methods was assessed by evaluating the incid ence and severity of side-effects. Patient acceptance was graded (good , fair to good, poor) according to the patient's judgement about the e ase of execution and interference with sleep and working activity. Les s residual stool (p<0.05) and better visualization of colonic mucosa ( P<0.05) were obtained with gut lavage than with standard preparation. Both methods were well-tolerated and a low incidence of side effects w as recorded in both groups. Patient acceptance was good in more than 8 0% of patients in both groups. We conclude that gut lavage is a rapid, effective and well-tolerated method for bowel cleansing. The use of a flavoured solution in a fractionized schedule seems to improve the to lerability and the patient acceptance of this method.