Bowel cleansing is a key component of a quality colonoscopy. Inadequate prep can lead to missed lesions and even the need for a repeat colonoscopy.
A study published in the journal Gastroenterology compares split-dose prep to day-before prep. Here are five things to know about the study.
1. The study authors examined 13,487 patient cases drawn from several different databases. Pediatric patients, hospitalized patients and inflammatory bowel disease patients were excluded from the study.
2. The researchers found split-dose prep resulted in better bowel cleansing than day-before prep, including day-before prep with polyethylene glycol, sodium phosphate or picosulfate.
3. PEG split-dose prep of three liters or more resulted in better bowel cleansing than lower-volume, split-dose regimens.
4. A higher number of patients were willing to repeat a split-dose regiment as opposed to a day-before regimen.
5. The study authors concluded split-dose bowel cleansing regimens improve colon cleansing quality and are preferred by patients.