The quality of bowel preparation is a key factor for the success of colonoscopy. In this context, new technologies are emerging with the aim of improving both clinical outcomes and patient experience.

At the ESGE Days 2026, scheduled for May 15, the results of a single-center observational study comparing Colon Wash— a retrograde colon irrigation technique — with standard oral laxative preparation will be presented.

Study Design

The study involved a total of 310 patients undergoing colonoscopy:

• 160 treated with Colon Wash
• 250 with standard oral preparation

After statistical matching (propensity score), 150 patients per group were analyzed.

Bowel preparation quality was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS).

Key Results

The data show:

Adequate preparation:

• Colon Wash: 86%
• Oral preparation: 88%

Adverse events:

• Colon Wash: 0%
• Oral preparation: 22%

Cecal intubation rate:

• Colon Wash: 100%
• Oral preparation: 92%

No adverse events were recorded in the Colon Wash group.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Colon Wash may provide efficacy comparable to traditional oral preparation, with a potentially better tolerability profile and a high procedural success rate.

Although these findings derive from a single-center observational study, they support the role of Colon Wash as a promising option in bowel preparation and justify further evaluation in broader clinical settings.