Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Lower GI Series: Barium Enema01:23

Lower GI Series: Barium Enema

A Barium Enema, or a lower GI series, is a specialized radiographic examination designed to visualize the lower gastrointestinal tract, specifically the colon and rectum. This procedure is instrumental in diagnosing various conditions such as colorectal cancer, polyps, diverticulosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Procedure Details
The examination begins by inserting a lubricated rectal tube into the patient's rectum to administer a radiopaque barium solution. The barium flow is carefully...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management01:21

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management

Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy01:26

Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy

Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy01:26

Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy

This lesson explores three gastrointestinal imaging techniques: radionuclide testing, colonic transit studies, and virtual colonoscopy.
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
Endoscopic Procedures II: Colonoscopy01:25

Endoscopic Procedures II: Colonoscopy

The colon, or large intestine, is the final segment of the digestive system. Its primary functions include absorbing water and vitamins produced by gut bacteria and transforming waste from liquid to solid to form stool. In adults, the large intestine is approximately 5 feet long and consists of four main sections:
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Robotic Sigmoidectomy for Diverticular Disease.

Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A·2024
Same author

Less Is (<i>Sometimes</i>) More: Laparoscopic Peritoneal Lavage and Drainage for Diverticulitis.

Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A·2024
Same author

Racial Disparities in 30-Day Outcomes After Colorectal Surgery in an Integrated Healthcare System.

Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract·2021
Same author

Outcome and Timing of Ostomy Reversal Surgery for Diverticular Disease in Veterans Administration Hospitals.

The American surgeon·2021
Same author

Elective surgery for diverticular disease in U.S. veterans: A VASQIP study of national trends and outcomes from 2004 to 2018.

American journal of surgery·2020
Same author

Outcomes and Trends in Colorectal Surgery in U.S. Veterans: A 10-year Experience at a Tertiary Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A·2020
Same journal

Modern Assessment of Resident and Board-Certified Colorectal Surgeon: Evolution of Competency and Continuing Professional Development.

Clinics in colon and rectal surgery·2026
Same journal

Faculty Development: Cultivating Educators, Advancing Careers, and Lifelong Learning.

Clinics in colon and rectal surgery·2026
Same journal

Constructive Conversations: Mastering the Exchange of Feedback.

Clinics in colon and rectal surgery·2026
Same journal

Surgical Education for the Colorectal Surgeon: Theories, Principles, and Practice.

Clinics in colon and rectal surgery·2026
Same journal

Cultivating Inclusion: The Role of DE&I in Colorectal Surgery Training.

Clinics in colon and rectal surgery·2026
Same journal

International Perspective on Colorectal Surgery Education.

Clinics in colon and rectal surgery·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
06:28

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy

Published on: August 1, 2019

Bowel preparation: current status.

James E Duncan1, Christie M Quietmeyer

  • 1Department of Surgery, National Naval Medical Center (NNMC), Bethesda, MD 20889, USA. james.duncan@med.navy.mil

Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery
|February 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is a long-standing surgical practice. Emerging evidence suggests MBP offers no benefit in colorectal surgery and questions its routine use.

Keywords:
Mechanical bowel preparationcolorectal surgerypolyethylene glycolsodium phosphate

More Related Videos

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
06:28

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy

Published on: August 1, 2019

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Surgical Gastroenterology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) has been a standard surgical practice for over a century.
  • The rationale includes improved visualization and reduced surgical site infections.
  • Surgeons widely accept MBP despite evolving methods and agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history and agents of MBP in colorectal surgery.
  • To summarize recent evidence questioning the efficacy of MBP.
  • To evaluate the current role of MBP in surgical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of historical data on MBP.
  • Analysis of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses.
  • Examination of emerging medical literature on preoperative bowel cleansing.

Main Results:

  • Recent trials and meta-analyses indicate MBP provides no significant benefit.
  • Evidence suggests MBP does not reduce infectious or anastomotic complications.
  • The necessity of MBP as a preoperative measure is increasingly questioned.

Conclusions:

  • The routine use of MBP in colorectal surgery is challenged by current evidence.
  • Further investigation is needed to determine the optimal role of bowel preparation.
  • Surgeons should reconsider the established protocols for MBP.