Survey of pediatric surgeons on current practices of bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery in children.
BACKGROUND
Guidelines regarding bowel preparation exist for the adult but not the pediatric population. Our aim was to evaluate the bowel preparation practices, including antibiotic usage for elective colorectal operations in children.


METHODS
A survey was designed and administered to a nationwide group of pediatric surgeons to ascertain current practices of bowel preparation.


RESULTS
Four hundred ninety-three surveys were administered, and 136 physicians responded (28%). Mechanical bowel preparation was used by 96% of the respondents. Preoperative intravenous antibiotics were used by 99% of respondents. The number of years in practice did not significantly affect the use of oral antibiotics (P = .62) or the duration of intravenous antibiotics (P = .78).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a wide variation in bowel preparation practices in children. A prospective, randomized trial would be helpful to identify the role of oral antibiotics and optimal duration of intravenous antibiotics in this population.
Breckler
Francine D
FD
James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Department of Pharmacy, Clarian Health Partners, Room 1016, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. fbreckle@clarian.org
Fuchs
Julie R
JR
Rescorla
Frederick J
FJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002400:Cathartics