Right hemicolectomy: mechanical bowel preparation is not required.
BACKGROUND
Mechanical bowel preparation before colonic surgery is widely advocated but remains controversial. Recent guidelines published by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland recommend mechanical bowel preparation prior to surgery for all colorectal cancers but this may be inappropriate. This study examines the outcome of a policy of no mechanical preparation before elective right hemicolectomy.


METHODS
Data on 102 consecutive patients undergoing elective right or extended right hemicolectomy for colonic adenocarcinoma were extracted from a prospective database.


RESULTS
No clinical anastomotic leaks were observed. Two patients developed wound infections and one patient died with no autopsy evidence of anastomotic leak.


CONCLUSIONS
Mechanical bowel preparation can safely be omitted prior to right hemicolectomy in patients with colonic cancer.
Department of Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, UK.
J O
JO
Jansen
T J
TJ
O'Kelly
Z H
ZH
Krukowski
R A
RA
Keenan
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000592:standards*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000401:mortality
D002400:Cathartics