Bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is the premier method for colonic evaluation and its diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic safety depends on the quality of the colonic cleansing. Bowel cleansing with polyethylene glycol and sodium phosphate provides cleansing with high-quality preparations with an acceptably low morbidity rate and a high degree of patient satisfaction in a cost-effective manner. Modifications have reduced the volume of the polyethylene glycol preparations. Sodium phosphate has been associated with electrolyte and osmolarity imbalances and nephrocalcinosis; therefore, its clinical use has been questioned. Polyethylene glycol may be safer in patients with a history of significant renal, heart, or liver disease.