Effect of Oral Laxative Use Before Colorectal Surgery on Intraoperative Surgical Difficulty

This prospective randomized pilot study will evaluate whether the use of an oral laxative before elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery affects small-bowel diameter and intraoperative surgical difficulty. Adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic colorectal resection will be randomly assigned to receive either oral laxative plus rectal enema preparation or rectal enema preparation alone. During surgery, the diameters of the jejunum and ileum will be measured using a standardized method. The study will also compare operative difficulty, bowel manipulation time, operation duration, need for additional ports, conversion to open surgery, intraoperative complications, blood loss, and early postoperative outcomes between the two groups. The findings may help clarify whether oral laxative use influences intraoperative conditions during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Scheduled for elective laparoscopic colorectal resection * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III * Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Requirement for emergency surgery * Mechanical intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, or generalized peritonitis * Anticipated extensive intra-abdominal adhesions * Active inflammatory bowel disease * Pregnancy * Serious systemic disease constituting a contraindication to oral laxative use * Inability to perform standardized intraoperative small-bowel diameter measurements