Abstract:Objective To compare and analyze the application effects of lactulose and compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder (PEG) in intestinal preparation, in order to establish a new scheme for optimizing intestinal preparation.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. 300 patients scheduled for colonoscopy from January 2023 to June 2024 were included and randomly divided into the lactulose group (n = 150) and the PEG group (n = 150). The intestinal cleanliness [Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) score and bowel bubble score (BBS)], the total number of bowel movements, the characteristics of the last stool, the detection rate of adenoma detection rate (ADR), the incidence of adverse reactions, and taste score of the two groups of patients were evaluated.Results The total BBPS score of the lactulose group was significantly higher than that of the PEG group, and the BBS score was significantly lower than that of the PEG group. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The total number of bowel movements in the lactulose group was more than that in the PEG group, the proportion of watery stools in the final stool was significantly lower than that in the PEG group, the taste score was higher than that in the PEG group, and the incidence of adverse reactions was lower than that in the PEG group. The differences were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in ADR between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). Insufficient intestinal preparation was positively correlated with the body fat percentage of patients (r = 0.265, P < 0.05).Conclusion The effect of lactulose in intestinal preparation is close to that of compound PEG, but lactulose has a better intestinal field of vision, fewer bubbles, and a better taste than compound PEG. It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.