Prospective Comparison of Three Bowel Preparation Regimens: Fleet Phosphosoda, Two-Liter and Four-Liter Electrolyte Lavage Solutions

In an attempt to improve patients' tolerance for colon cleaning, three bowel preparation regimens: 90-mL Fleet phosphosoda (FPS), 2-L electrolyte lavage solution plus 20 mg oral bisacodyl, and 4-L lavage, were compared for efficacy and safety. A total of 912 patients were prospectively nonrandomized into three study groups. In Group A, 304 patients were given 45-mL Fleet phosphosoda at 9 AM and 6 PM the day before colonoscopy. In Group B, 304 patients were given four tablets of 5 mg bisacodyl at 12 PM the day before colonoscopy followed by 2 L electrolyte lavage by mouth at 6:00 PM the evening before colonoscopy. In Group C, 304 patients were given 4 L electrolyte lavage at 6:00 PM the evening before colonoscopy. All patients were kept on a clear liquid diet the day before colonoscopy. The bowel cleanliness was accessed by one colonoscopist. One registered nurse accessed the ease of the patient. In Group A (FPS), every patient finished the 90-mL Fleet phosphosoda. Colon cleanliness was 95.1 per cent. In Group B (2 L), three patients (0.6%) could not finish the laxative. Colon cleanliness was 95.9 per cent. In Group C (4 L), 22 patients (7.3%) could not finish the laxative preparation. Colon cleanliness was 95.3 per cent. The study found these three regimens can achieve equally good results of bowel preparation; however, the small volume laxative (FPS) has been accepted favorably by patients.