title: The influence of mechanical bowel preparation in elective lower colorectal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the effects of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on anastomosis below the peritoneal verge and questions the influence of MBP on anastomotic leakage in combination with a diverting ileostomy in lower colorectal surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In a previous large multicenter randomized controlled trial MBP has shown to have no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage in overall colorectal surgery. The role of MBP in lower colorectal surgery with or without a diverting ileostomy remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a subgroup analysis of a prior multicenter (13 hospitals) randomized trial comparing clinical outcome of MBP versus no MBP. Primary end point was the occurrence of anastomotic leakage and secondary endpoints were septic complications and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total of 449 Patients underwent a low anterior resection with a primary anastomosis below the peritoneal verge. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was 7.6% for patients who received MBP and 6.6% for patients who did not. Significant risk factors for anastomotic leakage were the American Society of Anesthesiologists-classification (P = 0.005) and male gender (P = 0.007). Of total, 48 patients received a diverting ileostomy during initial surgery; 27 patients received MBP and 21 patients did not. There were no significant differences regarding septic complications and mortality between both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MBP has no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage in low colorectal surgery. Furthermore, omitting MBP in combination with a diverting ileostomy has no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage, septic complications, and mortality rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ikazia Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. hpieter44@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hans Pieter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Van't Sant
authors.forename: Wibo F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Weidema
authors.forename: Wim C J
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hop
authors.forename: Henk J M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Oostvogel
authors.forename: Caroline M E
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Contant
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D001726:Bisacodyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D010710:Phosphates; D001726:Bisacodyl; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C018279:sodium phosphate