[Turning-point of the bowel preparation?].

The whole-gut irrigation more and more carries through to be a favourite method for preoperative large bowel preparation. In 1975 it was used only by 3 hospitals in Switzerland, which resulted from our investigations about large bowel preparation. This new procedure brings advantages such as complete cleaning of the gastrointestinal tract, shortening of the preoperative hospitalisation time, retarded beginning of postoperative bowel function, no catabolic situation of patients' metabolism at operation-day, good compatibility and simple handling, according to our experience with 75 cases. There are not any disorders of the fluid and electrolyte balance except a small intake of water without clinical importance. The indication for whole-gut irrigation is given in all patients, who are subjected to an operation on the colon and rectum except the emergencies. Ileus, toxic megacolon and perforation of the large bowel are considered absolute contraindications. Severe large bowel stenosis, cardiac and renal insufficiency are relative contraindications only.