Abstract
Golytely (Braintree Laboratories, Braintree, Mass.) is a polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution that has been successfully used for mechanical bowel preparation in both adults and children with no disturbance of fluid or electrolyte balance. This is the first prospective study in babies under the age of 3 months. A consecutive series of ten patients undergoing colonic surgery, with a mean age of 7.4 weeks (3–12) and mean weight of 4.28 kg (3.0–6.22), was studied. Following Golytely administration no significant changes in weight, electrolyte concentrations, or plasma osmolarity were observed. The bowel preparation as judged peroperatively was excellent in eight patients. No wound or abdominal sepsis was recorded. The mean time for Golytely administration to obtain clear rectal effluent was 5.4 h (4–8), eliminating the need for prolonged hospitalization for bowel preparation. We propose the Golytely is a safe and effective method of preoperative bowel preparation in babies.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Davis GR, Santa Ana CA, Morawski SG, et al. (1980) Development of a lavage solution associated with minimal water and electrolyte absorption or secretion. Gastroenterology 78: 991
Fleites RA, Marshall JB, Eckhauser ML, et al. (1985) The efficacy of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution versus traditional mechanical bowel preparation for elective colonic surgery: a randomised, prospective clinical trial. Surgery 98: 709
Goldman J, Reichelderfer M (1982) Evaluation of rapid colonoscopy preparation using a new gut lavage solution. Gastrointest Endosc 28: 9
Hewitt J, Rigby J, Reeve J, et al. (1973) Whole gut irrigation in preparation for large bowel surgery. Lancet II: 337
Minervini S, Alexander-Williams J, Donovan JA, et al. (1980) Comparison of three methods of whole bowel irrigation. Am J Surg 150: 400
Rhode JB, Zvargulis JE, Williams CH, et al. (1977) Oral electrolyte overload to cleanse the colon for colonoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 24: 24
Skucas J, Cutcliff W, Fischer HW, et al. (1976) Whole-gut irrigation as a means of cleaning the colon. Radiology 121: 303
Thomas G, Brozinsky S, Isenberg J (1980) Patient acceptance and effectiveness of a balanced lavage solution (Golytely) versus the standard preparation for colonoscopy. Gastroenterology 78: 991
Tolia V, Fleming S, Dubois RS (1984) Use of Golytely in children and adolescents. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 3: 468
Tuggle DW, Hoelzer DJ, Tunell WP, et al. (1987) The safety and cost-effectiveness of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution bowel preparation in infants and children. J Pediatr Surg 22: 513
Tuggle DW, Perkins TA, Tunell WP (1989) Outpatient bowel preparation in children. J Pediatr Surg 24: 703
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: R. A. Wheeler
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wheeler, R.A., Davies, N., Griffiths, D.M. et al. The use of golytely for bowel cleansing in the first 3 months of life. Pediatr Surg Int 7, 364–365 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176594
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176594