Preoperative surveillance rectal swab is associated with an increased risk of infectious complications in pancreaticoduodenectomy and directs antimicrobial prophylaxis: an antibiotic stewardship strategy?

Preoperative surveillance RS-culture's positivity correlates to biliary colonization that occurs after PBD. IC and mortality after PD are associated with RS+. Preoperative RS can direct antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce morbidity and mortality after PD.