Bowel Preparation and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery

Bowel Preparation and Return of Bowel Function After Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery.

The purpose of this study is to find out if performing a bowel preparation prior to pelvic organ prolapse surgery has any effect on the return of bowel function after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Are between the ages of 21-90 years.
• Have a posterior vaginal wall prolapse.
• Are undergoing vaginal prolapse reconstructive surgery including posterior repair with suspension of the vaginal apex (top) to the ligaments in your pelvis, repair of the cul de sac or "enterocele", with or without anti-incontinence surgery.
• Are receiving general anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient undergoing concomitant anal sphincteroplasty, rectovaginal fistula repair, rectopexy, or rectal resection/reanastomosis.
• Patient undergoing any mesh augmentation.
• Patient with any neurological condition involving bowel function.
• Patient on regular narcotic medication preoperatively.
• Patient does not want to be in the group she was randomized to.
• Patient currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Patient with ascites.
• Patient with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation.
• Patient with history of hyperparathyroidism.
• Patient with dehydration.
• Patient with active inflammatory bowel disease.
• Patients with congestive heart failure.
• Patients with dialysis dependent renal disease.