title: A new bowel preparation for elective colon and rectal surgery. A prospective, randomized clinical trial.
abstract: A two-day cathartic/enema preparation with oral administration of erythromycin and neomycin was compared with an orthograde lavage preparation with oral administration of metronidazole and neomycin in a prospective randomized trial in 300 and 293 eligible patients, respectively, who were undergoing elective colon and rectal surgery. Patients were assessed for infections at six weeks after discharge from the hospital. The major infection rate was less than 1% and the minor infection rate was less than 4%. The overall infection rate was 4.2%. The type of bowel preparation used, the type of operation, and the addition of systemic antibiotic therapy did not affect infection rates significantly. We conclude that this one-day lavage technique, as described, is a safe, effective, economical, and preferred method of colonic preparation for elective colon and rectal surgery.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004032:Diet; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009355:Neomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011292:Premedication; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D008795:Metronidazole; D009355:Neomycin