Colonoscopy is a frequently performed procedure in the current era for evaluation of colitis and large bowel diarrhea. As a preparation for colonoscopy the patients are prescribed an enema which is most commonly a polyethylene glycol (PEG). This is usually given in a solution of about 2 liters and repeated if necessary. Since End Stage Renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis are not advised to consume large quantities of fluids, a patient undergoing colonoscopy is usually given inadequate preparation and subsequently inadequate radiological data. Here we have studied clinical and biochemical parameters of 5 patients who had to undergone colonoscopy or Contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and our results show that the usage of Polyethylene solutions do not cause any increase in weight gain or are associated with dyselectrolytemia.

1. Eliot C. Heher,* Samuel O. Thier,*† Helmut Rennke,‡ and Benjamin D. Humphreys: Adverse Renal and Metabolic Effects Associated with Oral Sodium Phosphate Bowel Preparation :Clin J Am SocNephrol : 1494 –1503, 2008
2. Ayus JC, Levine R, Arieff AI: Fatal dysnatraemia caused by electivecolono-scopy.BMJ 2003;326:382-4.
3. Granberry MC, White LM, Gardner SF. Exacerbation of congestive heart failure after administration of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution. Annpharmacother1995;29:1232-
4. Katsanos, D.K. Christodoulou, Margarita Economou, Marina Rizou, Ioanna Theodorou H. Pappas, K.C. Siamopoulos :Colonoscopy outcome, safety and efficacy of colon cleansing in chronic renal failure :ANNALS OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2003, 16(1):53-59

Dr Sanju Rajappan

Department of Nephrology, Malabar Medical College, Modakkallur, Calicut, Kerala 673323, India