title: A comparative study of two methods of colonic cleansing before colonoscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  good colonic preparation is essential to perform a complete and safe colonoscopy. The preparation used in the Endoscopy Unit was adopted after testing it against the classic 4-liter polyethylene glicol (PEG) preparation (Klean-Prep). Recently a new 3-liter PEG preparation was commercialised in Portugal, Endo-Falk, which appeared to be simpler and effective. The present study compared the preparation we usually use (a combination of 4 tablets of bisacodyl with 2-liter PEG and enemas) with this new preparation.
  
  
  METHODS
  we enrolled 305 patients in 2 groups. Group 1 was given our usual preparation, as described above and group 2 was given the new 3-liter preparation, Endo-Falk. All patients were ambulatory, and only patients undergoing total colonoscopies were included. Patients with benign or malignant stenosis and patients who had previously undergone colorectal resection were excluded. Preparation was graded as good when there were no stools and little liquid in the colon, fair when there were stools or liquid that could be aspirated and did not obscure the mucosa and bad when stools or excess liquid prevented an adequate view of the surface or precluded polipectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study included 164 male and 141 female patients, with a mean age of 61.3 years (no difference between the demographic data). In group 1 the preparation was good in 57.5%, fair in 28.5% and bad in 14% of patients and in group 2 the preparation was good in 33.1%, fair in 48.9% and bad in 18% (p < 0.001). Colonoscopies were complete in 89.9% of all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The usual preparation was better than the new 3-liter PEG solution.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Hospital de S. Bernardo, Setúbal, Portugal. cremers_tavares@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Marie Isabelle
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Cremers
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mangualde
authors.forename: Ana Margarida
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Elia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gamito
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lobato
authors.forename: Ana Luísa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Augusto
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001726:Bisacodyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D001726:Bisacodyl; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols