Preoperative Bowel Preparation with Oral Antibiotics Might Increase Wound Infection in Elective Colorectal Resections

Preoperative bowel preparation was previously strictly done for all patient undergoing colorectal surgeries. With advances in the surgical techniques and patient care, the role of bowel preparation in surgical complications is questioned. In this study we describe a non-randomized retrospective analysis of 193 patients who underwent left colon and rectal resections in two different hospitals, the preoperative bowel preparation regimens were different in two hospitals. Both regimens contain mechanical preparation with polyethylene glycol, however, one hospital administered erythromycin and neomycin and the other hospital did not. From 74 patients receiving oral antibiotic eight (10.8%) one developed wound infection and from 119 patients who did not receive oral antibiotic three (2.5%) patient developed wound infection. This difference was statistically significant. Regarding literature review, it is suggested to omit oral antibiotic from preoperative bowel preparation regimens elective colorectal resections.