Outpatient bowel preparation in children.

A polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution was evaluated as a mechanical bowel preparation prior to surgery in an outpatient setting. Twelve children underwent outpatient bowel preparation (OPBP) prior to a variety of surgical procedures. The technique was well tolerated and consistently produced a well-prepared intestinal tract. This technique will decrease the overall cost of hospitalization, and it enhances patient and parental acceptance of mechanical bowel preparation.