Objectives: To investigate the feasibility and safety of one-day bowel preparation for colorectal surgery.
Methods: Forty patients undergone colorectal surgery were divided randomly into the Control group and the Experimental group and received 3-day magnesium sulfate and 1-day sodium phosphate bowel preparations before the operation, respectively. The levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum electrolytes, and anaerobe counts in the stool prior and post bowel preparation were examined. The general status, surgical complications, and structure of intestinal mucosa in the patients were observed after the operation.
Results: There was no significant difference in the anastomoses healing, infectious complications, serum tests and intestinal mucosa structures between the two groups. Less diarrhea occurred prior and post the surgery in the experimental group, and they felt better with the bowel preparation. The anaerobe counts in stool were higher after the bowel preparation than before in both groups.
Conclusions: One-day bowel preparation with sodium phosphate is a safe and reliable method for colorectal surgery. The shortening of preparation time can reduce the degrees of uncomfortable feeling and disruptions of intestinal micro-ecology and barrier.