Does mechanical bowel preparation (complete bowel cleansing)help the Surgeon with visualization of the operative field during laparoscopic pelvic reconstructive surgery?
Patients will be randomized to receive a complete MBP or not prior to their surgical procedure. All patients will use 1 fleets enema the night before surgery and one the morning of surgery to ensure that the rectum is empty of all stool. This will be done since some surgeons use a rectal probe in the rectum to help with manipulation during the procedure. Stool in the rectal vault could contaminate the surgical field and lead to an infection. Patients will be randomized at their pre-op visit and provided instructions according to the group assignment. On the day of surgery patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire in the pre-op holding area to assess their overnight symptoms including insomnia, weakness, abdominal distention, nausea, thirst and overall tolerability of the Bowel Preparation assigned. Immediately after surgery, the primary surgeon will be asked to complete a visual analog score sheet evaluating the ease of the procedure with regard to retraction of the large and small bowel to help with visualization of the sacral promontory, retraction from posterior cul-de-sac, and maintaining adequate positioning after retraction. All surgeons (attendings, fellows, and residents) will be blinded re: the patients group assignment. Each primary surgeon will be asked to assign a final grade to the procedure as easy, medium, or difficult based on overall bowel retraction. At their 2 week follow up visit patients will be asked to report return of bowel function (first bowel movement or flatus) in # of days after surgery and incidents of stool leakage post op.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
176
Patients randomized to MBP will complete procedure per standard instructions.
Patient randomized to fleets enemas only prior to surgery
Boston Urogynecology Associates
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGTo determine whether there is there an added benefit in using a MBP with regard to positioning of the large and small bowel for exposure of key anatomic structures during pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures.
The primary objective of this protocol is to determine whether there is truly an advantage for the surgeon (visually) in having patients complete a Mechanical Bowel Prep prior to surgery or if an enema completed the evening before and morning of the surgery is sufficient.
Time frame: Surgeons will be asked to complete a questionnaire re: their impressions of the visual field on immediately Post op.
To evaluate whether MBP (total bowel cleansing) delays the return of bowel function and/or increases the risk of perioperative leakage of stool (fecal incontinence)post operatively.
Time frame: We will be following the subject from the day of surgery through 2 weeks post op.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.