Application of Single Dose Sodium Phosphates Oral Solution Combined with Simethicone Emulsion in Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy

Background:Adequate bowel preparation is essential for colonoscopic procedures.Double dose(45 mL×2) sodium phosphates(NaP) oral solution has been demonstrated to be effective for colonic cleansing,however,air bubbles are easily produced and may interfere the endoscopic observation.Aims:To assess the efficacy of single dose(45 mL) NaP oral solution combined with an antifoaming agent,simethicone emulsion in bowel preparation for colonoscopy.Methods:One hundred and ten patients suspected of colorectal diseases and referring for colonoscopy were recruited and randomly divided into study group and control group.All patients fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Patients in study group received 30 mL simethicone emulsion orally 1 hour after drinking 45 mL NaP oral solution diluted in 750 mL boiled water, while patients in control group drank 90 mL NaP oral solution diluted in 1500 mL boiled water only.The bowel cleanness, air bubbles in bowel lumen,postprocedure abdominal distention and operating time of colonoscopy were compared between the two groups.Results:The efficacy of bowel cleanness in study group was comparable to that in control group(Grade A and B:89.1%vs.80.0%,P0.05),while the air bubbles in bowel lumen was significantly less in study group than in control group(Grade A and B;83.6%vs.56.4%,P0.05).In addition,the postprocedure abdominal distention was less and the operating time of colonoscopy was shortened in study group when compared with control group[none/mild abdominal distention:89.1%vs.70.9%,P0.05;operating time:(7.1±3.2) min vs.(9.2±3.7)min.P 0.05].Conclusions:Single dose NaP oral solution combined with simethicone emulsion is safe,effective and well tolerated in bowel preparation for colonoscopy,and is worthy to be recommended in clinical practice.