How safe is bowel preparation with oral sodium phosphate solution?
The fact that there is no ideal bowel preparation has prompted the development of new preparations as well as examination of the efficacy and safety of available ones. Oral sodium phosphate (NaP) is one of the most commonly used bowel preparations and is associated with considerable water and electrolyte shifts. In this Practice Point commentary, we discuss the findings and limitations of a retrospective study conducted by Singal et al. that investigated the renal safety of bowel preparation with oral NaP or polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution in patients undergoing colonoscopy. The study showed that renal toxicity with NaP solution might be minimal in well-selected, well-hydrated patients and seems similar to that with PEG solution. This commentary highlights the issues to consider when interpreting and generalizing these results and commends Singal and colleagues for having provided a comprehensive appraisal of the weak points of the study in their discussion.
Shawki
Sherief
S
Department of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL 33331, USA.
Wexner
Steven D
SD