title: Postoperative outcomes following mechanical bowel preparation before proctectomy: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous meta-analyses of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before colorectal surgery have grouped colon and rectal resection together. An increased postoperative morbidity has been suggested in the absence of MBP following proctectomy. The current study used meta-analytical techniques to evaluate the comparative outcome of patients who received MBP prior to proctectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search was performed for published studies examining the effect of MBP before proctectomy on patient outcome. Random effects methods were used to combine data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven studies including 1258 patients were identified. There was no significant difference in overall morbidity (OR 1.062, 95% CI 0.584-1.933, P = 0.844), anastomotic leakage (OR 1.144, 95% CI 0.767-1.708, P = 0.509), surgical site infection (OR 0.946, 95% CI 0.549-1.498, P = 0.812) or mortality (OR 1.377, 95% CI 0.549-3.455, P = 0.495) between those who did not and those who did receive MBP prior to proctectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect of MBP prior to proctectomy, but the data were limited. Decision-making as to its use should be made on a case-by-case basis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.affiliation: Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Winter
mesh_terms: D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics
keywords: Rectal surgery; anastomotic leak; mechanical bowel preparation; surgical morbidity; surgical outcomes