Trial Information

Virtual Colonoscopy: Comparison of Reduced Laxative Virtual Colonoscopy Regimens With Standard Preparation on Patient Experience and Compliance - a Questionnaire Based Study

Bowel cleansing with high dose laxative is the standard bowel preparation prior to whole
colon investigations but such regimens are associated with considerable patient discomfort
and inconvenience, potentially affecting compliance rates [1-3].

Unlike existing whole colon investigations (conventional colonoscopy and barium enema),
reduced laxative regimens can be successfully used with VC, with the aim of improving
patient experience, whilst maintaining diagnostic accuracy. These regimens utilize faecal
tagging; a method of labeling residual faeces and fluid with radiodense liquids, such as
iodine or barium based fluids, which are taken orally by the patient. Once faecal residue
and fluid is labeled in this way, it can easily be discriminated from true pathology (which
remains 'untagged').

We are proposing to compare different bowel preparation regimens, and ascertain patient
experience of the different regimes, while monitoring diagnostic accuracy of the 2 different
regiments.