Comparative study between polyethylene glycol and sodium phosphate solution in elective colorectal surgery

The aim of this study was to compare the pre-operative-post-operative complications and patients' tolerance between sodium phosphate solution (NaP) and polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES) for elective colorectal surgery.

All colorectal cancer patients treated between August 2000 and May 2001 (NaP group) who received two doses of 45 ml NaP solution with a glass of water were compared to all colorectal cancer patients between July 1997 and July 2000 (PEG group) who received 3 liters of PEG-ES. Patient tolerance, post-operative septic complications, and serum sodium and potassium before and after bowel preparation were assessed.

Twenty five patients in the NaP group and eighty six patients in the PEG group were included in the study. Age, gender and surgical procedure were well matched. Patient tolerance to NaP was superior to PEG-ES (p=0.044). There was a significant increase in serum sodium levels (p=0.022) and a significant decrease in serum potassium levels in NaP group (p=0.018) without any clinical sequelae. 35 per cent of the patients in the PEG group had wound infection versus only 10 per cent of patients in the NaP group (p=0.021).

Sodium phosphate solution was safe, rapid, well-tolerated and could be the standard pre-operative mechanical bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery.