EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF A 1-LITRE LOW VOLUME PREP IN A BOWEL CANCER SCREENING COHORT

Aims Adequacy of bowel prep is essential for high quality colonoscopy, for early detection of neoplasia and to reduce adenoma missed rates. Standard prep regimes are difficult to tolerate and patient compliance is poor. A novel low volume (1L) bowel prep with macrogol 3350, Sodium Ascorbate, Ascorbic acid and electrolytes is now available. We aimed to assess its efficacy and safety.

Methods Data was collected prospectively in a single center between July 2020 and November 2021. A cohort of patients undergoing screening colonoscopy after a positive faecal immunohistochemical test were given 1-litre prep and the proceduralist was blinded. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) was used to record the quality of bowel prep; score of 6 or more was defined as adequate cleansing. Procedural outcomes were analyzed through electronic medical records.

Results 682 patients, aged 50-75 years, underwent colonoscopy with the novel 1-litre prep. Adequate bowel cleansing was achieved in 663 patients (96%). Of these, excellent bowel cleansing was achieved in 480 (70%, BBPS 8-9) and good prep (BBPS 6-7) in 183 patients. No serious adverse effects were reported. Intolerance to prep or minor side effects was reported by less than 5% of our cohort.

Conclusions Low volume bowel prep is better tolerated and can achieve the efficacy of standard prep regimes. In our cohort of screening colonoscopy patients, a novel 1-litre prep achieved high efficacy and was well tolerated and safe. Furthermore, the majority of patients achieved excellent cleansing.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022