Ispaghula (Vi-Siblin) versus standard preparation for barium enema.

Purpose: To compare 2 methods of colonic cleansing before double-contrast barium enema. A standard preparation of bisacodyl was compared with a preparation of dietary fibre (ispaghula).
Material and Methods: The patients referred for double-contrast barium enema were randomly allocated to one of the colonic cleansing regimens. The effectiveness and patient acceptance of the preparations were evaluated.
Results: There was a significantly poorer colon cleanness score in the ispaghula group (p = 0.0001). Patient tolerance of the 2 regimens was not significantly different.
Conclusion: Ispaghula alone is not sufficient as a cleansing preparation for double-contrast barium enema.