Preparation for elective colorectal surgery. A randomized, blinded comparison between oral colonic lavage and whole-gut irrigation.

An oral colonic lavage solution containing sodium sulfate and polyethylene glycol was compared with whole-gut irrigation using saline via a nasogastric tube in a randomized blinded study of 34 consecutive well-matched patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Both methods were safe and rapid. Patients receiving oral colonic lavage, however, had significantly less (P less than 0.05) water retention, overall distress, cramps, and other complaints. No significant differences were found with regard to fullness, nausea, and rectal discomfort. The bowel cleansings were equally adequate, and most patients achieved a good-to-excellent preparation. Surgical complications appeared not to be related to the preparation used, and wound sepsis were equally frequent. Oral colonic lavage proved to be the most attractive preoperative cleansing method.