Background: To find the effects of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP)
on operative field visualization, and to measure pneumoperitoneum pressure (PP)
and Trendelenburg inclination angle (TIA) values. Methods: In this
two-centred, randomised, single-blind and controlled study, 90 patients who
underwent laparoscopic gynaecological surgery for benign conditions were
included. After the exclusions, 44 patients received MBP with oral sodium
phosphate enema (study group) and 42 did not receive bowel preparation or
underwent diet restrictions (control group). An objective visual index, PP and
TIA were measured in a stepwise design of assessments. Results: The
Visual Index at first inspection right after establishing a 12 mmHg PP and a
standard 30 TIA was found to be significantly in favour of the study
group (p = 0.015). The lowest reached TIA in standard 12 mmHg PP
following stepwise decrease was observed as 15.2 and 25 in the study
and control groups, respectively (p 0.001). The lowest reached PP
was 8.9 mmHg and 11.9 mmHg in the study and control groups, respectively
(p 0.001). Patients who received MBP reported significantly higher
levels of negative discomfort measures (p 0.032), however 80% of
those reported MBP as acceptable. Conclusion: Significantly better
operative field visualization, lower TIA and PP was achieved with MBP. MBP
enabled a decrement of either 10 in TIA or 3 mmHg in PP with an
adequate operative field to proceed safely for the benign gynaecological
laparoscopic operations in exchange for acceptable discomfort for the patients.