Effectiveness of a Preoperative Bowel Preparation Protocol for Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis to Decrease Postoperative Gastrointestinal Morbidities and the Hospital Length of Stay

Study Design Randomised controlled trial.Objective This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a preoperative bowel preparation protocol comprising bisacodyl to minimize postoperative gastrointestinal morbidities and the hospital length of stay for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Summary of Background Data Patients who undergo scoliosis correction surgery frequently experience postoperative gastrointestinal morbidities and a prolonged hospital length of stay. Emesis, paralytic ileus and constipation are the most common gastrointestinal morbidities. Opioid medication is a well-known risk factor for gastrointestinal complications after scoliosis correction surgery.Methods Eighty-seven patients (22 boys [25.3%] and 65 girls [74.7%]) with a mean age of 17.7 years (standard deviation [SD], +/- 2.2 years) diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were enrolled in this study and randomized into 2 groups. Group A comprised 44 patients who received a preoperative bowel preparation comprising bisacodyl. Group B comprised 43 patients who did not receive any preoperative medication. Demographic data, height, weight, medical and surgical comorbidities, Risser status, number of instrumented levels and preoperative opioid consumption of all patients were evaluated.Results Group A experienced fewer postoperative abdominal symptoms than group B. The mean hospital length of stay was 4.1 days (SD, +/-.6 days; median, 4 days; range, 3-5 days) for group A; however, it was 5.3 days (SD, +/-.8 days; median, 5 days; range, 4-7 days) for group B (P = .01).Conclusion The use of a bowel preparation protocol before scoliosis correction surgery for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can effectively decrease postoperative gastrointestinal morbidities and the hospital length of stay.