Adequate bowel cleansing improves the results of colonoscopy.  Since colonoscopy is a big part of gastroenterology/pediatric gastroenterology, a lot has been written comparing bowel preparations.  A recent study has examined a split-dose polyethylene glycol (PEG) preparation (Gastrointest Endosc 2012; 75: 583-90).

This prospective study from a single center in South Korea examined the effectiveness of a split-dose regimen in 366 patients (18 -65 years).  An interval of 3 to 5 hours between the completion of the last dose of the preparation and the start of the colonoscopy had the highest scores for bowel cleansing.  The authors used the “Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale” for assessing a quality score.  Favorable odds ratios were noted with optimal preparation interval (OR 1.85), amount of PEG ingested (OR 4.34), and adherence with diet instructions (OR 2.22).

Instructions for preparation in this study:

• 1. Low-fiber diet for 3 days prior
• 2. Regular diet for breakfast & lunch day prior; soft diet for dinner, then only clear liquids
• 3. Two liters of PEG on day prior and then two liters early in morning (5-7 am) on day of procedure –NPO for at least two hours prior to procedure.  While taking PEG, patients were instructed to consume 250 mL every 10 minutes.

Ottawa Scale –score right, mid, and left colon:

• 0    no liquid
• 1    minimal liquid –no suctioning required
• 2    suctioning required to see mucosa
• 3    wash and suctioning needed
• 4    solid stool, not washable
• Plus 0-2 points for overall quantity of fluid.
• Max score 14 points

In this study, a prolonged interval (> 7 hours) between prep and colonoscopy had increasingly higher scores.  Score for 3-4 hours was 4.25; score for 7-8 hours was 5.20 and score for > 8 hours was 5.92.

As alluded to above, individuals who consumed adequate volume of preparation, had good bowel cleansing.  99% of patients who took at least 75% of PEG (> 3 liters) had a satisfactory preparation.  And, 95% of patients who took less than 75% of PEG had an unsatisfactory preparation.  Compliance with diet instruction was associated with a satisfactory prep in 89% and poor compliance was associated with a poor prep in 81%.

While this study identified these risk factors, it is telling that even in a research study, 141 patients had an unsatisfactory preparation (Ottawa scale 6-14); 225 had a satisfactory preparation (Ottawa scale 0-5).

Additional references –bowel preparations:

• -JPGN 2011; 53: 71. 2 day prep: Miralax 2 gm/kg, bisacodyl 5mg. n=111.
• -JPGN 2010; 51: 254. Review of bowel preparations
• -Gastroenterol 2006; 130: 2240. Oral phospho fleets associated with alarming risk of nephropathy. 21 additional cases identified
• -J Am Soc Nephrol 2005; 16: 3389-3396
• -NEJM 2003; 349: 1006. acute phosphate nephropathy after oral phospho fleets in a 71yo woman

• Dave Barry: A journey into my colon — and yours – 02/11/2009 …
• http://www.colonoscopyfordummies.com
• Urban legend (from an email communication):”A physician claims these are actual comments from his patients made while he was performing colonoscopies:”  (Obviously, these colonoscopies were completed with sedation rather than general anesthesia.)

1. “Take it easy, Doc, you’re boldly going where no man has gone before.”
2. “Find Amelia Earhart yet?”
3. “Can you hear me NOW?”
4. “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”
5. “You know, in Arkansas, we’re now legally married.”
6. “Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?”
7. “You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out. You do the
Hokey Pokey….”
8. “Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!”
9. “If your hand doesn’t fit, you must acquit!”
10. “Hey, Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.” and
11. “Could you write me a note for my wife, saying that my head is not, in fact, up there?”