Numbing agent offers new angle on colonoscopy prep tolerance
Researchers propose using topical lidocaine to suppress taste perception during bowel preparation—a simple intervention that could reduce patient dropout rates before colonoscopy. Poor prep quality costs healthcare systems millions annually through failed procedures and repeat appointments, making any strategy that improves patient adherence potentially valuable for gastroenterology practices.
Originaltitel: Taste aversion as an under-recognized determinant of bowel preparation quality
Inadequate bowel preparation remains a major barrier to high-quality colonoscopy, with taste aversion representing a common yet under-recognized contributor to poor tolerability of the bowel preparation. Current strategies primarily aim to improve palatability through formulation changes or dosing regimens. This paper proposes a novel, hypothesis-driven approach: transient pharmacologic suppression of gustatory perception using topical oral lidocaine to reduce the perceived unpleasantness of bowel preparation solutions. The concept arises from a serendipitous clinical observation in which tongue-focused lidocaine application enabled successful oral intake in a patient with repeated prior intolerance. By targeting taste perception directly rather than modifying the preparation itself, this approach may offer a complementary strategy for selected patients. Further evaluation is required to assess feasibility, safety, and clinical effectiveness.