[Emptying of colon prior to colonoscopy. A comparison between emptying using peroral polyethylene glycol-electrolyte and conventional emptying with dietary restrictions, laxatives and water lavage].

The purpose of the study was to compare the degree of bowel emptying at colonoscopy after preparation with either traditional water enema, dietary restrictions and laxatives or after oral lavage solution (Klean-Prep). Colonoscopy was performed in 104 patients over a two month period, 56 patients being allocated to the conventional preparation and 48 to Klean-Prep. The quality of bowel emptying was evaluated visually during endoscopy and by the proportion of incomplete colonoscopies. Bowel emptying was less satisfactory after Klean-Prep (p = 0.018) and seven incomplete colonoscopies resulted in contrast to two after conventional preparation. The results were obtained from a surgical department with a permanent small staff of motivated nurses preparing a huge number of patients for colonoscopy. No economic advantages could be demonstrated by the use of Klean-Prep.