Published online Dec 28, 2020. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v8.i6.462
Peer-review started: July 15, 2020
First decision: November 2, 2020
Revised: November 11, 2020
Accepted: November 21, 2020
Article in press: November 21, 2020
Published online: December 28, 2020
Bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopies is important for screening for colorectal cancer.
Bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopies is controversial. Examining the best approach would be beneficial for patients and those performing colonoscopies.
This meta-analysis examines the use of same-day preparation (SaD) or split-dose preparation (SpD) for afternoon colonoscopies.
An extensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases. Only randomized controlled trials in adults that compared SaD to SpD with Ottawa bowel preparation score (OBPS) were included. Odds ratio or mean difference was used to analyze outcomes.
No differences were observed for satisfactory bowel preparation based on OBPS among participants receiving SaD vs SpD overall (P = 0.07), when the two groups received the same preparation formula (polyethylene glycol, PEG) (P = 0.46), and when the two groups received the same formula and volume (4 L PEG) (P = 0.64).
In patients undergoing afternoon colonoscopies, SpD is comparable with SaD in terms of satisfactory bowel preparations.
Patients and proceduralists may be confident in using either SaD or SpD for afternoon colonoscopies.