[Preoperative bowel cleansing: outpatient versus inpatient preparation]

This study investigated the safety and efficacy of preoperative outpatient bowel preparation (OBP) and compared it with inpatient bowel preparation (IBP). Records of patients who underwent OBP and IBP for elective colorectal surgery from January 1995 to December 1997 were compared. All patients were instructed to take during the three days before surgery metronidazole (1.5 g pro die) while an oral polyethylene glycol solution was used for the oral lavage during the 12 hours before operation. The two groups, 65 patients, were uniform for age, sex, diagnosis and operations performed. The OBP group had a shorter length of hospital stay (median 9 vs 10 days; p = ns) whereas the complication rate was similar including infectious complications. Data on operating time, perioperative fluid and blood requirements, perioperative diuresis were not significantly different in the two groups. Outpatient bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery is safe and effective while offering short hospital stay and therefore reduction in medical care cost.