Surgery
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Bowel Preparation Policy - DRAFT

Responsible for policy - Thomas Ind

Last reviewed - in process

Last date page electronically updated - 28/03/2005

Next review - 1/4/2006

Bowel preparation decreases the morbidity and mortality of colon surgery ¹. Reductions in the incidence of wound infections and other septic complications have been well documented ^{2 & 3}. Furthermore, some form of bowel preparation is required for endoscopic procedures of the lower gastro-intestinal tract to ensure adequate visualisation.

EUA’s WITH SIGMOIDOSCOPY AND ALL VULVAL SURGERY

• All women scheduled for these operations should have an enema on the morning of surgery at 0600.

ALL MAJORS INCLUDING LAPAROSCOPIC MAJORS

• All women scheduled for abdominal major cases have a full bowel prep.

• Women shuld be on clear liquids for 24 hours before surgery,

• They should have picolax (2 sachets) 1200 and 1400.

• If admitted to the ward late they should receive the bowel preparation on admission.

• A drip should be set up over night to avoid dehydration.

• Women should receive a Phosphate enema on the morning of surgery.

1. Nichols RL & Condon RE. Surg Gynecol Obstet 132: 323, 1971.

2. Coppa GF et al. Am J Surg 145: 62, 1983.

3. Condon RE. Arch Surg 117: 265, 1982.