Comparative Effectiveness and Risks of Bowel Preparation Before Elective Colorectal Surgery.
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between bowel preparation and surgical site infections (SSIs), and also other postoperative complications, after elective colorectal surgery.



SSI is a major source of postoperative morbidity/costs after colorectal surgery. The value of preoperative bowel preparation to prevent SSI remains controversial.



We analyzed 32,359 patients who underwent elective colorectal resections in the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2014. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed; propensity adjustment using patient/procedure characteristics was used to account for nonrandom receipt of bowel preparation.



26.7%, 36.6%, 3.8%, and 32.9% of patients received no bowel preparation, mechanical bowel preparation (MBP), oral antibiotics (OA), and MBP + OA, respectively. After propensity adjustment, MBP was not associated with decreased risk of SSI compared with no bowel preparation. In contrast, both OA and OA + MBP were associated with decreased risk of any SSI (adjusted odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.38-0.64; and adjusted odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.40-0.50, respectively) compared with no bowel preparation. OA and MBP + OA were associated with decreased risks of anastomotic leak, postoperative ileus, readmission, and also shorter length of stay (all P < 0.05). Bowel preparation was not associated with increased risk of cardiac/renal complications compared with no preparation.



The use of MBP alone before elective colorectal resection to prevent SSI is ineffective and should be abandoned. In contrast, OA and MBP + OA are associated with decreased risks of SSI and are not associated with increased risks of other adverse outcomes compared with no preparation. Prospective studies to determine the efficacy of OA are warranted; in the interim, MBP + OA should be used routinely before elective colorectal resection to prevent SSI.
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Sarah E
SE
Koller
University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI.
Katherine W
KW
Bauer
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA.
Brian L
BL
Egleston
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Radhika
R
Smith
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.|Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA.
Matthew M
MM
Philp
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.|Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA.
Howard M
HM
Ross
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA.
Nestor F
NF
Esnaola
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002400:Cathartics