Arch Surg Chicago
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Is mechanical bowel preparation mandatory for elective colon surgery? A prospective randomized study.
Bowel preparation prior to colonic surgery usually includes antibiotic therapy together with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP). Mechanical bowel preparation may cause discomfort to the patient, prolonged hospitalization, and water and electrolyte imbalance. It was assumed that with the improvement in surgical technique together with the use of more effective prophylactic antibiotics, it was possible that MBP would no longer be necessary. ⋯ Our results suggest that no advantage is gained by preoperative MBP in elective colorectal surgery.