In a controlled trial whole gut irrigation (w.g.i.) was compared with elemental diet for 4 days as large bowel preparation. Cleansing effect, caloric intake and preparation time were significantly better in the first group (w.g.i.). In addition w.g.i. was routinely used studying 42 patients in an open trial which showed also a reliable cleansing effect and good practicability. At present the experience refers to a total of 163 preparations by means of w.g.i. In a further study the efficacy of w.g.i. for removal of blood from the intestinal tract in patients with bleeding esophageal varices was investigated. In 8 out of 11 cases a complete removal of the blood masses was obtained, 3 of these patients showed an improvement of the preexisting coma-stage.