The effects of preoperative oral antibiotic use on the development of surgical site infection after elective colorectal resections: A retrospective cohort analysis in consecutively operated 90 patients

• This study was performed in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection.
• The influence of oral antibiotic use with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on surgical site infection was mainly evaluated.
• The duration and cost of hospitalization were also evaluated in these patients.
• The duration and cost of hospitalization were also evaluated in these patients.
• The study group included patients who were administered with both oral antibiotics (gentamycin, metronidazole and bisacodyl) and MBP.
• The control group consisted of patients who received MBP only.
• Patients receiving oral antibiotics demonstrated a lower rate of wound infections and shorter hospital stay.
• Patients treated with oral antibiotics showed similar rates for anastomotic leakage with significantly lower total hospital charges.

PurposeThe influence of oral antibiotic use together with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on surgical site infection (SSI) rate, length of hospital stay and total hospital costs in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were evaluated in this study.MethodsData from 90 consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between October 2006 and September 2009 was analyzed retrospectively. All patients received MBP. Patients in group A were given oral antibiotics (a total 480 mg of gentamycin, 4 gr of metronidazole in two divided doses and 2 mg of bisacodyl PO), whereas patients in group B received no oral antibiotics. Exclusion criteria were emergent operations, laparoscopic operations, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, intraoperative colonoscopy prior to the creation of an anastomosis or antibiotic use within the previous 10 days. SSI, length of hospital stays and total hospital charges were evaluated.ResultsPatients in both study groups, group A (n = 45) and group B (n = 45), were similar in terms of age, BMI, diverting ileostomy creation, localization and stage of the disease. Patients receiving oral antibiotics demonstrated a lower rate of wound infections (36% vs. 71%, p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (8.1 ± 2.4 days vs. 14.2 ± 10.9 days, respectively, p < 0.001) and similar rates for anastomotic leakage (2% vs. 11%, p = 0.20). The mean ± SD total hospital charges were significantly lower in Group A (2.699 ± 0.892$) than that in Group B (4.411 ± 4.995$, p = 0.029).ConclusionPreoperative oral antibiotic use with MBP may provide faster recovery with less SSI and hospital charges.