[Polyethylene glycol versus sodium phosphate: comparison of 2 preparations for colonoscopy]

The intention of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of an electrolytic solution containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a saline solution containing sodium phosphate in the preparation of colon for an endoscopic examination. 80 patients were subdivided at random into two groups: Group 1; PEG 4 liters - Group 2; sodium phosphate 3 packets plus one microenema. The efficacy of the two preparations was decided on the basis of: presence or absence of liquid/solid faecal residues observed by the endoscopist during the exploration of the large intestine, and classified as follows: perfect, good, mediocre and bad. Acceptability was established on the basis of patient tolerability in completing or not the preparation as well as presence of any side effect. The PEG solution was observed to be more efficient than sodium phosphate solution while both preparations had comparable tolerability. The cost of the PEG preparation was higher compared to the sodium phosphate preparation.