To Prepare or Not to Prepare the Bowel before Elective Colorectal Surgery

Authors

General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine for Boys, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Preoperative bowel preparation is used to reduce the complication rate following elective colorectal surgery. However, the necessity and optimal method of bowel preparation remain controversial issues. Aim of the work: To evaluate the effectiveness of bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery to determine if it is necessary or not. Patients and methods: Eighty patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were divided into four equal groups to evaluate the difference among various forms of bowel preparation (mechanical, chemical, combined, and no preparation) regarding the postoperative complication rate and the length of hospital stay. Results: There were no statistically significant differences among the study groups regarding the postoperative complication rate and the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Provided that improved surgical techniques and perioperative care are ensured, the routine use of bowel preparation before elective colorectal surgery can be safely discontinued.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics