Use of simethicone as a patient preparation for abdominal sonography

Fifty-eight patients about to undergo abdominal ultrasonography were randomly assigned into groups receiving preparation with oral simethicone and into control groups. A percentage value of sound transmission through the abdomen was calculated for each patient using sonographic measurements taken from a series of prescribed scans by a sonographer unaware of the patient preparation employed. Results indicate a statistically significant improvement in through sound transmission for those groups receiving simethicone preparation.