Region-specific protection effect of preoperative oral antibiotics combined with mechanical bowel preparation before laparoscopic colorectal resection: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Int J Surg 2023; 109: 3042-3051.

Some 309 patients were available for analysis in this study that compared the addition of oral antibiotics to mechanical bowel preparation alone. Surgical site infection was reduced by the addition of antibiotics: 8.3 versus 17.7 per cent, P=0.042. The effect was greater for left colon tumours.

Comment: Relatively small trial that contributes to existing knowledge.