Use of Oral GoLytely Solution in Relief of Refractory Fecal Impaction

Abstract

Constipation and fecal impaction are commondisorders with multiple treatment options. We describethe use of GoLytely oral solution in 10 patientsadmitted to a community hospital and referred to asingle gastroenterologist for fecal impactionrefractory to conventional medical treatment. Sevenwomen and three men received enemas, bisacodylsuppositories, and digital fragmentation either solelyor in combination prior to the administration of GoLytely oralsolution. The patients had no clinical and radiologicalevidence of bowel obstruction. All had underlyingcardiovascular problems. Their mean age was 78.1 years (range 49-100 years). GoLytely oral solution(Braintree Laboratories, Inc.) was administered at arate of 100 ml/hr per orem to three patients, vianasogastric tube in six patients, and via gastrostomy tube in one patient. All 10 patients were ableto regularly pass feces and show radiographicalcolorectal clearing within 6.0 to 57.25 hr (mean 23.60hr). No significant complications were observed. Eight patients were discharged from the hospitalwithin 24 hr of termination of treatment while twopatients remained for unrelated medical conditions.GoLytely oral solution effectively relieved fecalimpaction in 10 patients refractory to conventionalmedical treatment.