Comparing a Clear Liquid Diet Versus Mechanical Bowel Preparation before Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Objective: The purpose of this single-blind, single-center clinical trial study was to compare the effect of a clear liquid diet versus mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before surgery on surgical field visualization, postoperative pain, and postoperative symptoms in women undergoing benign gynecological laparoscopic surgeries. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 women scheduled for benign gynecological laparoscopic surgery were allocated to two groups. In group 1 from 24 hours before the surgery, the patient was on a clear liquid diet and should have been fasting 8 hours before the surgery (Diet group). Group 2 received four packets of polyethylene glycol powder in the evening before the operation and was fasting from midnight before the operation (MBP group). The outcomes included the comparison of intraoperative visualization of the surgical field, ease of bowel handling, postoperative pain, and gastrointestinal discomforts between the two groups. Results: The intraoperative visualization of the surgical field score ( p = 0.06) and ease of small and large bowel handling rating were similar between the two groups ( p = 0.19 and 0.59, respectively). Compared with the MBP group, patients in the Diet group experienced fewer complications including abdominal pain, vomiting, anal stimulation, hunger, and postoperative flatulence. Conclusions: Administration of clear liquid diet 24 hours before surgery seems to have comparable results with MBP in terms of surgical field of view and ease of bowel handling. However, fewer gastrointestinal discomforts were observed in the diet group.