From the Research
Colonoscopy Prep and Bowel Flora
- Colonoscopy prep can interfere with the gut microbiota, leading to transient changes in the gut microbiota, potentially affecting an individual's health, especially in vulnerable populations, such as patients with inflammatory bowel disease 1.
- Measures such as oral probiotics may ameliorate these adverse effects 1.
Hypothermia and Colonoscopy
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that colonoscopy prep disrupts bowel flora, leading to hypothermia.
- However, hypothermia has been associated with an increase in the rate of infectious complications following colectomy, and most temperature loss occurs prior to operation in patients undergoing colectomy 2.
- The use of a forced-air warming device can produce significantly less hypothermia during laparoscopic surgery 3.
- Atmospheric temperature could play an important role in the colon cleansing during colonoscopy, being high temperature (> 25°C) associated with lower rate of adequate bowel cleansing 4.
Electrolyte Imbalance and Hypothermia
- Bowel preparation for colonoscopy can lead to hypokalemia, especially in high-risk patients, such as diuretic users, hospitalized patients, and patients estimated to be at high risk by the gastroenterologist 5.
- Hypokalemia is frequently encountered after low-volume polyethylene glycol bowel cleansing in high-risk patients, and additional large-scale studies are needed to decide on screening of high-risk groups in daily clinical practice 5.