Comparison of a new colon lavage solution (Golytely-RSS) with a standard preparation for air-contrast barium enema

Golytely is a balanced electrolyte solution for per oral whole-gut lavage. It has been an accepted alternative to standard preparations for barium enema. Golytely-RSS is a new formulation designed to taste better through reduction in sodium and sulfate content. In addition, a slight increase in osmolality is intended to decrease further the net absorption/secretion ratio. One hundred outpatients who were to undergo air-contrast barium enema examinations were randomly assigned one of two colon-cleansing preparations. A standard 1-day diet/cathartic method was compared with Golytely-RSS plus oral bisacodyl. Radiographs were evaluated for the amount of fecal material present and the degree of mucosal coating by two radiologists independently of each other and without knowledge of the preparation used. Good to excellent feces removal was provided by Golytely-RSS in 98% of patients and by the standard method in 95% (p greater than .1, not significant). Mucosal coating also was similar between groups. Unpleasant side effects were reported significantly more often in the lavage group. Unwillingness to use the preparation a second time was reported in 36% of the Golytely-RSS group and in 8% of the standard preparation group (p = .03). Golytely-RSS is an acceptable alternative method to standard colon-cleansing methods for air-contrast barium enema and may be preferable in patients with certain renal or cardiovascular diseases. Side effects may preclude the use of this colon-cleansing regimen routinely.