Dietary fibres in the preparation for barium enema

Abstract

The importance of an optimal cleansing of the colon prior to a diagnostic barium enema can not be overemphasized. If the colon is not thoroughly prepared, remaining fecal content may give rise to diagnostic errors, and it is the experience from most X-ray departments that a considerable number of examinations have to be repeated because of insufficient cleansing of the colon. The difficulties in finding the optimal scheme for bowel cleansing is also reflected in the great number of different preparation schemes that are in use at different X-ray departments. Usually, the preparation of the bowel includes several steps, such as various recommendations on food and fluid intake, oral and rectal laxatives and tap water enema. Common to most preparatory schemes is the recommendation to keep to a low-fibre diet and to exclude all fibre medication that may have been instituted prior to the barium examination. Considering the general effects of fibre on the bowel, however, it seems possible that its use could be beneficial for colon cleansing. Dietary fibre has been shown to have an effect on constipation and on prolonged intestinal transit time. These effects are mediated through an increased fecal volume as well as softening of the bowel content. Theoretically, the evacuation of the bowel content should therefore be facilitated, enhancing the efficiency of laxatives and tap water enemas. The present study was performed in an effort to answer the question: Does dietary fibre have an effect on colon cleansing?