A Modification Of Bowel Preparation Prior To Intravenous Urography

One hundred (100) adult patients booked to have outpatient intravenous urogram in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria were allocated into one of two groups taking into cognizance their bowel habits. Group 'A' patients had very sluggish bowel habit (opened bowel once in three or more days) while Group 'B' patients opened bowel at least once in 48 hours. Both groups received the same instructions for bowel preparation except for the laxative Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) which was excluded in Group 'B'. The effectiveness of the bowel preparation in both groups was assessed by awarding scores to their “Control film”. The result showed no significant difference in the degree of faecal shadowing between the groups. Meanwhile 35(70%) of patients in group 'A' experienced some inconveniences as side effects from the laxative. There was no reduction in the number of radiographs taken in either groups therefore the use of a laxative did not decrease radiation dose. In conclusion, the routine use of a laxative for every patient booked for IVU is not justified, a modification of bowel preparation to suit bowel habit is therefore recommended.