Advances in bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Precolonoscopy bowel preparation is adequate to identify lesions larger than 5 mm about 70% to 75% of the time, but the opportunity for further improvement exists. The use of high-quality formulations with established efficacy rates of 90% or greater, identification of patients who are at increased risk of an inadequate preparation, as well as patient education and motivation to be invested in the process further improves the success of cleansing. Endoscopists should strive to achieve an adequate bowel preparation in 85% or more of patients. High-quality colonoscopy requires high-quality bowel cleansing.