Application of Polyethylene Glycol-electrolyte Powder in Bowel Preparation Before Colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte powder for use in bowel preparation before colonoscopy.METHODS: 180 patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to receive either polyethylene glycol-electrolyte powder(Group A) or senna leaves and 33% magnesium sulfate(Group B) for the bowel preparation.The patient tolerance of the bowel preparation,the quality of defecation and the adverse reactions were assessed.The effect on the bowel cleanness was compared.RESULTS: The patient tolerance of the bowel preparation in Group A was better than Group B.The average time from taking medicine to the first defecation of Group A was 43.78min.It was shorter than that of Group B(51.25min).The average defecation number of Group A was 5.41.It was also less than that of Group B(7.28).The incidence rate of adverse reactions in Group A was obviously lower than Group B.The difference between them was all statistically significant(P0.01),whereas the difference of the effect on the bowel cleanness between two groups was not statistically significant(P0.05).CONCLUSION: Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte powder has satisfying effect in the bowel preparation before colonoscopy.It has the benefits of less preparation time and less side effects.