title: A physiological appraisal of polyethylene glycol and a balanced electrolyte solution as bowel preparation.
abstract: Seventy-seven patients undergoing bowel preparation with either sennosides and rectal washout (S + RWO; n = 26) or polyethylene glycol and a balanced electrolyte solution (PEG + E) given orally (n = 25) or by nasogastric infusion (n = 26) have been studied. PEG + E was not associated with significant physiological change in electrolytes or blood gases. Patients tolerated PEG + E well and it provided a moderate to good bowel preparation in over 80 per cent of cases. PEG + E was not associated with a change in colonic microflora and was not associated with explosive mixtures of colonic gas due to hydrogen. It is therefore a safe, quick and efficient bowel preparation and provides a safer alternative to mannitol. The solution (PEG + E) man be used orally or by nasogastric infusion and does not require an accompanying intravenous infusion.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002400:Cathartics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012676:Senna Extract; D000081226:Sennosides; D013997:Time Factors; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D002400:Cathartics; D004573:Electrolytes; D005740:Gases; D000081226:Sennosides; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012676:Senna Extract