title: Use of Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution Expedites Return of Bowel Function and Facilitates Early Discharge after Kidney Transplantation.
abstract: Delay in the return of bowel function often prolongs hospitalization after kidney transplantation, leading to increased patient morbidity and health care costs. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution has been observed to aid the return of bowel function in postoperative patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
  
  
  
  Using a 2-arm, single-surgeon, nonrandomized study, we compared the addition of PEG along with early resumption of diet with a control group using only early resumption of diet in kidney transplantation patients.
  
  
  
  There were 51 subjects in the control group and 47 subjects in the PEG intervention group. The primary outcomes measure, time to bowel movement, was significantly shorter than the control group by an entire day (2.9 ± 1.1 days vs 4.0 ± 1.3 days; p < 0.001). In propensity score analysis, patients receiving PEG had bowel movements sooner (-1.06 ± 0.25 days; p < 0.001) and decreased lengths of stay (-1.16 ± 0.27 days; p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  Polyethylene glycol significantly reduced time to return of bowel function and postoperative length of stay. By adding PEG to the postoperative protocol, we can help to reduce costs of hospitalization and improve overall outcomes in renal transplantation patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Treat
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. Electronic address: ABaskin@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baskin
authors.affiliation: The Institute for Digital Research and Education Statistical Consulting Group, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Rosario
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Hans Albin
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Gritsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols