Efficacy of One Dose of Laxative on Postoperative Constipation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Postoperative constipation is a common problem among orthopaedic surgical patients leading to discomfort, increased length of stay, and other complications. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of polyethylene glycol compared with docusate sodium for the prevention of constipation, after total knee arthroplasty. The secondary purpose was to examine the effectiveness of polyethylene glycol on pain and strain with bowel movement.