Safety of a standardized bowel preparation protocol for colonoscopy: results of a pilot study

Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of a standardized bowel preparation protocol for colonoscopy compared to a traditional regimen. Materials and methods: A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted in July 2024 at the Ryzhikh National Medical Research Center of Coloproctology. Fifty patients with clinical indications for diagnostic colonoscopy were enrolled. The safety and effectiveness of a standardized bowel preparation protocol were evaluated and compared with a retrospective control group of 50 patients who underwent a traditional preparation regimen. Bowel cleanliness was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Safety outcomes were determined based on laboratory test results and the incidence of adverse events (e.g., nausea, vomiting). Results: A significantly higher proportion of patients in the standardized protocol group achieved good or excellent bowel preparation — 47 out of 50 (94.0 %) — compared to 34 out of 50 (68.0 %) in the traditional preparation group (p = 0.002). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the two groups, reported in 14/50 (28.0 %) and 12/50 (24.0 %) patients, respectively (p = 0.8). There were no clinically significant changes in observed laboratory parameters in the standardized group. Conclusion: The standardized bowel preparation protocol demonstrated superior cleansing quality for colonoscopy while maintaining a safety profile comparable to that of the traditional regimen.