Comparison between Castor Oil and Sodium Phosphates as the Oral Evacuants for Bowel Preparation before Intravenous Pyelography

Abstract

Background: Intravenous pyelography (IVP) is the most widely used diagnostic modality in urologic practice. Postponing the investigation due to invisualization of urinary tract detail by fecal colonic residue causes late clinical evaluation and lost of time for the patient.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and side effects of castor oil and sodium phosphates for bowel preparation before IVP.

Materials and Methods: The hundred patients with kidney stone deemed suitable for the study were randomly assigned to one of the two regimens: castor oil regimen as a control group (n = 50) and sodium phosphates regimen (n = 50). Radiologist assessed for scores on the amount of fecal residue. The side effects and taste were assessed from a questionnaire completed by the patients

Design: Prospective, double blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial

Setting: Radiology Section, Nong Khai Hospital

Measurements: Statistical significances were evaluated by program EpiInfo 2002. Values were presented as mean and standard deviation tested by unpaired t-test. Others were presented as percentage evaluated by Chi square-Mantel-Haenszel test.

Results: There was a significant difference in amount of fecal residue between two evacuants (p < 0.01). However there was no significants difference in the side effects and taste between the two evacuants (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The efficacy of sodium phosphates was better than castor oil. There was no significance difference  in side effects and taste between two evacuants.

Key words: Bowel preparation, intravenous pyelography, castor oil, sodium phosphates, evacuants