Open-System Colon Irrigation Bowel Prep for Colonoscopy is a Safe and Effective Alternative to Oral Prep - Abstract
Background: Colonoscopy is the most common practice for the evaluation of the lower gastrointestinal tract. High-quality bowel preparation is imperative to ensure adequate visualization and surveillance of colon neoplasia. It has been reported that approximately 20% of outpatients have inadequate colon preparation, in part due to difficulties associated with the traditional purgative-based oral prep. An FDA-cleared, prescription-based, open system to purge the colon with water before colonoscopy is available and provides an alternative to oral prep.
Aim: Evaluating the clinical outcomes, safety, adequacy, and patients’ satisfaction of the high-volume colon irrigation bowel prep for colonoscopy prescribed by physicians from two independent endoscopy centers.
Methods: This retrospective study provides data analysis of 3,050 consecutive bowel prep procedures prescribed by 35 gastroenterologists. Patients’ demographics and safety data were recorded by the technical staff following stringent protocols. The examining physician provided bowel preparation adequacy, and patients’ satisfaction was recorded using post-procedure surveys.
Results: The high-volume colon irrigation provided 97% adequacy with no serious adverse events, reflecting its efficacy and safety. The study presented excellent patients’ satisfaction and willingness to repeat. The outcomes were maintained regardless of the patients’ age, gender, pre-prep regime, and underlying diseases.
Conclusion: Open system high-volume colon irrigation used under stringent standardized protocols is a favorable strategy for colonoscopy prep. Adopting this technology can lead to increased effectiveness and improved patients’ procedural experience, thus reducing the healthcare system’s costs associated with canceled, failed, and inadequate colonoscopies.