title: Mechanical bowel preparation before gynecologic laparoscopy: a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before gynecologic laparoscopy, using as the primary endpoint the appropriateness of the surgical field as judged by the surgeon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic department specializing in gynecologic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-hundred sixty-two patients scheduled for laparoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The evening before laparoscopy, patients were randomized to either MBP with 90 mL of oral sodium phosphate (NaP) or no bowel preparation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient discomfort was evaluated with a visual analogue scale. Bowel preparation was evaluated by a surgeon (blind to bowel-preparation status) using a 5-point scale. Surgical difficulty, operating times, and postoperative complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative discomfort was significantly greater in the MBP group. No significant difference in the evaluation of the surgical field, operative difficulty, operative time, and postoperative complications was present between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bowel preparation with oral NaP does not offer any significant advantage in patients undergoing laparoscopy for benign gynecologic conditions. In addition, MBP significantly increases preoperative discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio Medico, University of Rome, Rome, Italy. l.muzii@unicampus.it
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muzii
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellati
authors.forename: Marzio Angelo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.forename: Natalina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manci
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Angioli
authors.forename: Pierluigi Benedetti
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Panici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000187:drug effects; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010710:Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D013894:Thirst / Q000187:drug effects; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D010710:Phosphates; C018279:sodium phosphate