van der Spoel, J.I., Oudemans-van Straaten, H.M., Kuiper, M.A., van Roon, E.N., Zandstra, D.F., & van der Voort, P.H. (2007). Laxation of critically ill patients with lactulose or polyethylene glycol: A two-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Critical Care Medicine, 35, 2726–2731.
To determine whether lactulose or polyethylene glycol (PEG) effectively promotes bowel function in critically ill patients, and to identify whether one is superior to the other.
On day 3 in critical care, consenting patients who had no bowel movements were randomized to one of three arms: lactulose, PEG 3350, or placebo. The lactulose solution was 13 gm of lactulose in 100 ml of sterile water. The PEG 3350 solution was 13.125 gm of PEG 3350 in 100 ml of sterile water. Finally, the placebo was 100 ml of sterile water. Each patient was medicated with the study liquid every eight hours via a nasogastric tube and was to receive 11 doses of treatment medication.
Two ICUs in the Netherlands
This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
Both lactulose and PEG promoted bowel movements equally. In patients receiving morphine, PEG had a more significant effect.
The study lacked a lead-in period or data on patients’ prior bowel function and history of constipation.
Bowel function is promoted with the use of either lactulose or PEG. Lactulose may reduce LOS, and PEG may be better for patients who also are receiving morphine, but additional study is needed.