[Whole gut irrigation for cleansing the bowel (author's transl)]

Whole gut irrigation with an isotonic electrolyte solution is said to be an effective, easily and rapidly performed cleansing preparation for colonoscopy. We studied the effect of this method upon water and electrolyte metabolism and on intestinal transit. 35 patients were prepared for colonoscopy by whole gut irrigation via a gastric or duodenal tube. We observed a weight gain of 1.8 +/- 0.3 kg (mean +/- SD) and an increase in serum sodium and chloride. These changes were almost completely reversible within 24 hours. During the irrigation the intestinal transit time shortened by about 50%. The results demonstrate that whole gut irrigation has only slight side effects, but caution is warranted in patients with disturbed tolerance of sodium and water.