Journal of pediatric surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Use of mechanical bowel preparation and oral antibiotics for elective colorectal procedures in children: is current practice evidence-based?
It is well established through randomized trials that oral antibiotics given with or without a mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) prior to colorectal procedures reduce complications, while MBP given alone provides no benefit. We aimed to characterize trends surrounding bowel preparation in children and determine whether contemporary practice is evidence-based. ⋯ According to the best available clinical evidence, less than a quarter of all children pre-admitted for elective colorectal procedures receive a bowel preparation proven to reduce infectious complications.